Schneebergite is a rare antimony oxide mineral that typically occurs as an alteration product of antimony-bearing ores in hydrothermal veins. It is most easily identified by its characteristic octahedral crystal form and resinous luster. Collectors prize it primarily as a rare mineralogical species found in historic mining districts.
Is this schneebergite?
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 schneebergite with a known reference. Schneebergite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schneebergite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schneebergite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Schneebergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schneebergite leaves yellow, Stibiconite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Schneebergite and dull on Stibiconite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Schneebergite and earthy on Bindheimite.
Often found alongside schneebergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schneebergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaSb₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 5.5-6.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Vein Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schneebergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Kremnica, Slovakia
- Catorce, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal vein deposits country — that is the host setting where schneebergite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schneebergite on the map
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