Schumacherite is a rare secondary bismuth arsenate mineral typically found as small, thin, greenish-yellow platy crystals or crusts. It forms in the oxidized zones of arsenic-rich bismuth deposits and is highly prized by micromounters and advanced collectors for its rarity.
Is this schumacherite?
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 schumacherite with a known reference. Schumacherite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schumacherite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schumacherite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings.
Often confused with
Schumacherite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Atelestite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 2); streak differs — Schumacherite leaves yellow, Atelestite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Schumacherite and adamantine on Atelestite.
How to tell apart: Mixite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-4 vs. 2); streak differs — Schumacherite leaves yellow, Mixite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Schumacherite and vitreous on Mixite.
Often found alongside schumacherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schumacherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Bi₃(AsO₄)₂O(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates, Coatings
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Bismuth-arsenic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find schumacherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lichtenberg, Germany
- Wittichen, Germany
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal bismuth-arsenic deposits country — that is the host setting where schumacherite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, bismuth, pharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schumacherite on the map
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