Szklaryite is an extremely rare secondary arsenate mineral found in the oxidation zones of arsenic-rich ore deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic coatings or encrustations associated with altered arsenopyrite and is primarily of interest to systematic mineral collectors.
Is this szklaryite?
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 szklaryite with a known reference. Szklaryite 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. Szklaryite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Szklaryite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, crusts, or coatings.
Often confused with
Szklaryite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Szklaryite leaves yellow, Scorodite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Szklaryite and vitreous to sub-adamantine on Scorodite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Szklaryite leaves yellow, Pharmacosiderite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Szklaryite and adamantine on Pharmacosiderite.
Often found alongside szklaryite
Minerals reported to co-occur with szklaryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ◻(Al₂Fe)AsO₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Crystals, Crusts, Or Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Weathered Arsenopyrite-bearing Rocks
- Typical price
- n/a
Where rockhounds find szklaryite
Classic worldwide localities
- Szklary, Lower Silesia, Poland
Field-hunting tip
Look in weathered arsenopyrite-bearing rocks country — that is the host setting where szklaryite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenopyrite, limonite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic crystals, crusts, or coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find szklaryite on the map
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