Schneiderhöhnite is an extremely rare iron arsenic oxide mineral known primarily from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia. Collectors typically look for its dark, tabular, adamantine crystals occurring alongside other rare arsenate minerals.
Is this schneiderhöhnite?
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 schneiderhöhnite with a known reference. Schneiderhöhnite 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. Schneiderhöhnite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schneiderhöhnite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Schneiderhöhnite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Schneiderhöhnite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Schneiderhöhnite leaves yellowish brown, Ludlockite leaves yellow-orange; luster reads adamantine on Schneiderhöhnite and resinous on Ludlockite.
How to tell apart: Iron Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Schneiderhöhnite leaves yellowish brown, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads adamantine on Schneiderhöhnite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside schneiderhöhnite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schneiderhöhnite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₃As₅O₁₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-800 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find schneiderhöhnite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where schneiderhöhnite typically forms. If you start seeing tsumcorite, ludlockite, duftite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schneiderhöhnite on the map
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