Scholzite is a rare phosphate mineral often forming delicate, needle-like or prismatic crystal sprays. It is most frequently found in phosphate-rich zones of pegmatites or secondary deposits, appearing as transparent to white crusts or distinct, elongated crystals.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Scholzite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this scholzite?

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 scholzite with a known reference. Scholzite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, gray white, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, spray-like aggregates.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside scholzite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaZn₂(PO₄)₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.11-3.13 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Gray white White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals, spray-like aggregates
Cleavage: On {100}, fair, a parting with parascholzite lamellae
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: May be a primary mineral, but more commonly a secondary mineral in Zn phosphate-bearing granite pegmatites and sediments

Where rockhounds find scholzite

Classic worldwide localities

Tip Top mine, 8.5 km southwest of Custer, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA
Snowstorm mine, North Battle Mountain district, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Otov, near Domažlice, Czech Republic
Baccu Locci mine, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Richelle, near Visé, Belgium

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: May be a primary mineral, but more commonly a secondary mineral in Zn phosphate-bearing granite pegmatites and sediments. If you start seeing parascholzite, sphalerite, triplite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, spray-like aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify scholzite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, gray white, white.

Where is scholzite found?+

Notable localities include Tip Top mine, 8.5 km southwest of Custer, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA; Snowstorm mine, North Battle Mountain district, Lander Co., Nevada, USA; Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany; Otov, near Domažlice, Czech Republic; Baccu Locci mine, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy.

Is scholzite safe to handle?+

Contains zinc; while not acutely dangerous, wash hands after handling and avoid inhaling dust.

What rocks look like scholzite?+

Scholzite is most often confused with Hopeite, Tarbuttite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with scholzite?+

Scholzite commonly co-occurs with Parascholzite, Sphalerite, Triplite, Parahopeite, Collinsite, Tarbuttite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does scholzite form in?+

Where it forms: May be a primary mineral, but more commonly a secondary mineral in Zn phosphate-bearing granite pegmatites and sediments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is scholzite used for?+

Scholzite is used in collector.

Find scholzite on the map

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