Schwartzembergite is a rare lead-iodine oxychloride mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of arid mining districts in Chile. It usually forms small, deep red, transparent to translucent rhombohedral crystals that are highly sought after by advanced collectors for their distinct adamantine luster and rarity.
Is this schwartzembergite?
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 schwartzembergite with a known reference. Schwartzembergite 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. Schwartzembergite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schwartzembergite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, reddish brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular to rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Schwartzembergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schwartzembergite leaves yellowish brown, Diaboleite leaves pale blue; luster reads adamantine on Schwartzembergite and vitreous on Diaboleite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Schwartzembergite leaves yellowish brown, Boleite leaves light blue; luster reads adamantine on Schwartzembergite and vitreous on Boleite.
Often found alongside schwartzembergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schwartzembergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃⁺²(IO₃)₃Cl₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 7.5-7.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Rhombohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-rich Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find schwartzembergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sierra Gorda, Chile
- San Rafael, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-rich hydrothermal mineral deposits country — that is the host setting where schwartzembergite typically forms. If you start seeing paratacamite, atacamite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schwartzembergite on the map
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