Krieselite is a rare aluminum tin hydroxy-fluoride mineral typically occurring as small, delicate tabular crystals. It is primarily known from the historic mining district of Schneeberg in Saxony, where it forms in hydrothermal tin-bearing veins. Due to its scarcity, it is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors of rare species.
Is this krieselite?
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 krieselite with a known reference. Krieselite sits at Mohs 5.5-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: beige, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Krieselite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Topaz is the harder of the two (Mohs 8 vs. 5.5-6.5); luster reads greasy on Krieselite and vitreous on Topaz.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy on Krieselite and adamantine to adamantine metallic, splendent; may be greasy on fractures on Cassiterite.
Often found alongside krieselite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krieselite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂GeO₄F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6.5
- Density
- 4.069 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- From vugs in tennantite-chalcocite-galena-germanite ore in a complex polymetallic hydrothermal sulfide deposit
Where rockhounds find krieselite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: From vugs in tennantite-chalcocite-galena-germanite ore in a complex polymetallic hydrothermal sulfide deposit. If you start seeing quartz, wulfenite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find krieselite on the map
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