Schlossmacherite is a rare secondary sulfate-arsenate mineral usually found in oxidized ore deposits. Collectors typically look for its characteristic yellowish crusts or earthy masses on rock surfaces, often associated with other rare oxidation zone minerals.
Is this schlossmacherite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch schlossmacherite with a known reference. Schlossmacherite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: waxy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray green, light green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, earthy masses.
Often confused with
Schlossmacherite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schlossmacherite leaves white, Jarosite leaves pale yellow; luster reads waxy on Schlossmacherite and subadamantine to vitreous, resinous on fractures on Jarosite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Schlossmacherite leaves white, Beudantite leaves grayish yellow to green; luster reads waxy on Schlossmacherite and vitreous, resinous, may be frosted on Beudantite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads waxy on Schlossmacherite and vitreous, somewhat pearly on {0001} on Alunite.
Often found alongside schlossmacherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schlossmacherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₃O)Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Waxy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, aggregates, earthy masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper-bearing gold deposit
Where rockhounds find schlossmacherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Emma Luisa gold mine, Guanaco district, about 100 km east-northeast of Taltal, Antofagasta, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a copper-bearing gold deposit. If you start seeing ceruleite, chenevixite, olivenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates, earthy masses. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schlossmacherite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
