Schuetteite is a rare mercury sulfate mineral that typically forms as a secondary encrustation on other mercury minerals. It is highly characteristic of mercury mining districts where it appears as a bright yellow, earthy, or powdery coating. Due to its mercury content, it must be handled and stored with appropriate safety protocols for toxic specimens.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Schuetteite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Dull
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Opaque

Is this schuetteite?

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 schuetteite with a known reference. Schuetteite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schuetteite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Schuetteite typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright yellow, orange-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: crusts, powder, earthy masses.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Cinnabar

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schuetteite leaves yellow, Cinnabar leaves scarlet; luster reads dull on Schuetteite and adamantine on Cinnabar.

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Schuetteite and adamantine on Terlinguaite.

Compare →

Often found alongside schuetteite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Hg₃(SO₄)O
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 7.3 g/cm³
Colors: Bright Yellow Orange-yellow
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Crusts, Powder, Earthy Masses
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Mercury-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
Typical price: $20-150 per specimen

Where rockhounds find schuetteite

Classic worldwide localities

Terlingua, Texas, USA
Almadén, Spain
Idrija, Slovenia

Field-hunting tip

Look in mercury-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where schuetteite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, calomel, terlinguaite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, powder, earthy masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify schuetteite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include bright yellow, orange-yellow.

Where is schuetteite found?+

Notable localities include Terlingua, Texas, USA; Almadén, Spain; Idrija, Slovenia.

How much is schuetteite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is schuetteite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains mercury; handle with extreme caution, avoid inhaling dust, and wash hands thoroughly after contact. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like schuetteite?+

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

What minerals are found with schuetteite?+

Schuetteite commonly co-occurs with Cinnabar, Calomel, Terlinguaite, Montroydite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does schuetteite form in?+

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

What is schuetteite used for?+

Schuetteite is used in collector.

Find schuetteite on the map

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