Schoenfliesite is a rare magnesium-tin hydroxide mineral that typically forms small, sharp octahedral crystals. It is primarily found in hydrothermal tin deposits where it occurs as a secondary mineral alongside other tin-bearing species like cassiterite.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareStottite Group family

Schoenfliesite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this schoenfliesite?

5-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 schoenfliesite with a known reference. Schoenfliesite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schoenfliesite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Schoenfliesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Stottite

Mohs 3.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schoenfliesite leaves white, Stottite leaves brownish black; luster reads vitreous on Schoenfliesite and adamantine on Stottite.

Compare →

Often found alongside schoenfliesite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: MgSn(OH)₆
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 4.49 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brownish-yellow Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Octahedral Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Tin-bearing Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find schoenfliesite

Classic worldwide localities

Komsomolskoye Sn deposit, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal tin-bearing deposits country — that is the host setting where schoenfliesite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, stannite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify schoenfliesite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, brownish-yellow, pale yellow.

Where is schoenfliesite found?+

Notable localities include Komsomolskoye Sn deposit, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia; Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

How much is schoenfliesite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like schoenfliesite?+

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

What minerals are found with schoenfliesite?+

Schoenfliesite commonly co-occurs with Cassiterite, Stannite, Magnetite, Chlorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does schoenfliesite form in?+

Schoenfliesite typically forms in hydrothermal tin-bearing deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is schoenfliesite used for?+

Schoenfliesite is used in collector.

Find schoenfliesite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.