Schüllerite is a rare barium sodium titanium silicate, typically brown. It is a late pneumatolitic mineral in miarolitic cavities in alkaline basalt. Associated minerals include nepheline, leucite, augite and phlogopite. It was first described from the Löhley quarry near Üdersdorf, Eifel volcanic region, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.
Is this schüllerite?
4-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 schüllerite with a known reference. Schüllerite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: flattened crystals to 2 mm.
Often confused with
Schüllerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schüllerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schüllerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Ba₂Mg₂Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.974 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Flattened crystals to 2 mm
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late pneumatolitic mineral in miarolitic cavities in alkaline basalt
Where rockhounds find schüllerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Löhley quarry, Eifel volcanic region, near Üdersdorf, Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late pneumatolitic mineral in miarolitic cavities in alkaline basalt. If you start seeing nepheline, leucite, augite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: flattened crystals to 2 mm. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schüllerite?+
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What rocks look like schüllerite?+
What minerals are found with schüllerite?+
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Find schüllerite on the map
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