Schultenite is a rare secondary lead arsenate mineral found almost exclusively in the oxidized zone of the Tsumeb mine in Namibia. It typically forms sharp, transparent, colorless to pale yellow monoclinic crystals that are highly sought after by advanced collectors for their clarity and adamantine luster.
Is this schultenite?
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 schultenite with a known reference. Schultenite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schultenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schultenite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals, often with complex faces.
Often confused with
Schultenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schultenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schultenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbHAsO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.59 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals, Often with Complex Faces
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-arsenic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find schultenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-arsenic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where schultenite typically forms. If you start seeing tsumcorite, galena, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals, often with complex faces habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schultenite on the map
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