Schmidite is a rare zinc iron manganese phosphate, typically orange-brown to copper-red. It occurs in and near altered phosphophyllite in a corroded triphylite nodule in granitic pegmatite. It was first described from Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.

Hardness

Mohs

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Schmidite

Hardness: 3
Transparency: Translucent

Is this schmidite?

3-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch schmidite with a known reference. Schmidite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: orange-brown, copper-red.
3
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of tiny crystals.

Often confused with

Schmidite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside schmidite

Minerals reported to co-occur with schmidite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn(Fe³⁺₀.₅Mn²⁺₀.₅)₂ZnFe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₃(H₂O)₈
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.82 g/cm³
Colors: Orange-brown Copper-red
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Crusts, aggregates of tiny crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: On and near altered phosphophyllite in a corroded triphylite nodule in granitic pegmatite

Where rockhounds find schmidite

Classic worldwide localities

Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: On and near altered phosphophyllite in a corroded triphylite nodule in granitic pegmatite. If you start seeing phosphophyllite, vivianite, zwieselite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of tiny crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify schmidite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Common colors include orange-brown, copper-red.

Where is schmidite found?+

Notable localities include Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.

What rocks look like schmidite?+

Schmidite is most often confused with Jarosite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with schmidite?+

Schmidite commonly co-occurs with Phosphophyllite, Vivianite, Zwieselite, Apatite, Laueite, Whitmoreite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does schmidite form in?+

Where it forms: On and near altered phosphophyllite in a corroded triphylite nodule in granitic pegmatite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is schmidite used for?+

Schmidite is used in collector.

Find schmidite on the map

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