Schoonerite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral that typically forms as thin, yellow-brown platy crystals or radial clusters. It is found primarily as a late-stage alteration product within complex phosphate-rich granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic morphology often occurring on or near weathered triphylite.
Is this schoonerite?
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 schoonerite with a known reference. Schoonerite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schoonerite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schoonerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Schoonerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schoonerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schoonerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Fe²⁺₂Zn₂Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schoonerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, Custer County, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where schoonerite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, hureaulite, leucophosphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schoonerite?+
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How much is schoonerite worth?+
What rocks look like schoonerite?+
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Find schoonerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
