Schmidite is a rare zinc iron manganese phosphate, typically orange-brown to copper-red. It occurs in and near altered phosphophyllite in a corroded triphylite nodule in granitic pegmatite. It was first described from Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.
Is this schmidite?
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 schmidite with a known reference. Schmidite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schmidite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schmidite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange-brown, copper-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of tiny crystals.
Often confused with
Schmidite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schmidite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schmidite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn(Fe³⁺₀.₅Mn²⁺₀.₅)₂ZnFe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₃(H₂O)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.82 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Aggregates of Tiny Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Base-metal Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find schmidite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal base-metal ore deposits country, the host setting where schmidite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, willemite, duftite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, aggregates of tiny crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify schmidite?+
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What rocks look like schmidite?+
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Find schmidite on the map
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