Schmiederite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of selenium-rich hydrothermal deposits. It is most easily recognized by its distinctive dark red to orange-red color and adamantine luster, typically occurring as small tabular crystals or crusts alongside other rare selenide minerals.
Is this schmiederite?
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 schmiederite with a known reference. Schmiederite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schmiederite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schmiederite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, orange-red, dark red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Schmiederite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schmiederite leaves orange, Crocoite leaves orange-yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schmiederite leaves orange, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Schmiederite and resinous on Wulfenite.
Often found alongside schmiederite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schmiederite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Cu(SeO₃)(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Selenium-rich Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schmiederite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sierra de Cacheuta, Argentina
- Tory Hill, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal selenium-rich veins country — that is the host setting where schmiederite typically forms. If you start seeing clausthalite, penroseite, klockmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schmiederite?+
Where is schmiederite found?+
How much is schmiederite worth?+
Is schmiederite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like schmiederite?+
What minerals are found with schmiederite?+
What kind of rock does schmiederite form in?+
What is schmiederite used for?+
Find schmiederite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
