Stenhuggarite is an extremely rare sulfosalt mineral found almost exclusively in the famous Lengenbach Quarry in Switzerland. It typically occurs as small, sharp, yellow tabular crystals embedded in dolomitic marble, often associated with other rare arsenic-bearing minerals.
Is this stenhuggarite?
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 stenhuggarite with a known reference. Stenhuggarite sits at Mohs >4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: bright yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright reddish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: equant grains, pseudo octohedral.
Often confused with
Stenhuggarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stenhuggarite is noticeably harder (Mohs >4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Stenhuggarite leaves bright yellow, Sartorite leaves chocolate-brown; luster reads adamantine on Stenhuggarite and metallic on Sartorite.
How to tell apart: Stenhuggarite is noticeably harder (Mohs >4 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Stenhuggarite leaves bright yellow, Gratonite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Stenhuggarite and metallic on Gratonite.
Often found alongside stenhuggarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stenhuggarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFeSbAs₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- >4
- Density
- 4.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bright reddish orange
- Streak
- Bright yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant grains, pseudo octohedral
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare in hematite ore from a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody
Where rockhounds find stenhuggarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare in hematite ore from a metamorphosed Fe–Mn orebody. If you start seeing hematite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant grains, pseudo octohedral. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stenhuggarite?+
Where is stenhuggarite found?+
Is stenhuggarite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like stenhuggarite?+
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Find stenhuggarite on the map
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