Brendelite is a rare bismuth lead iron phosphate, typically black. It is a very rare secondary mineral found on the dumps of a Bi-Co-Ni-Ag deposit. Associated minerals include eulytite, bismutite and bismutoferrite. It was first described from Güldener Falk mine, near Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany.
Is this brendelite?
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 brendelite with a known reference. Brendelite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brendelite leaves a pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brendelite typically shows a vitreous to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Brendelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Brendelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Laueite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Brendelite and vitreous on Laueite.
How to tell apart: Brendelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Stewartite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Brendelite and vitreous on Stewartite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brendelite leaves pale brown, Phosphosiderite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Brendelite and vitreous on Phosphosiderite.
Often found alongside brendelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brendelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Bi,Pb)₂(Fe³⁺,Fe²⁺)O₂(OH)(PO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 6.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find brendelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf-Sud pegmatite, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where brendelite typically forms. If you start seeing laueite, stewartite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brendelite on the map
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