Schüllerite is a rare barium sodium titanium silicate, typically brown. It is a late pneumatolitic mineral in miarolitic cavities in alkaline basalt. Associated minerals include nepheline, leucite, augite and phlogopite. It was first described from the Löhley quarry near Üdersdorf, Eifel volcanic region, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Schüllerite

Hardness: 3-4
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this schüllerite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch schüllerite with a known reference. Schüllerite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schüllerite leaves a white streak.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: flattened crystals to 2 mm.

Often confused with

Schüllerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Andradite

Mohs 6.5-7.5

How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 3-4).

How to tell apart: Grossularite Garnet is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 3-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside schüllerite

Minerals reported to co-occur with schüllerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ba₂Na(Mn,Ca)(Fe³⁺,Mg,Fe²⁺)₂Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂(O,F)₄
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.974 g/cm³
Colors: Brown
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Flattened Crystals to 2 Mm
Cleavage: Perfect On {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Skarn Deposits

Where rockhounds find schüllerite

Classic worldwide localities

Schwarzenberg, Germany
Kola Peninsula, Russia
San Benito County, California

Field-hunting tip

Look in skarn deposits country, the host setting where schüllerite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, epidote in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a flattened crystals to 2 mm habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify schüllerite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. The streak is white. Common colors include brown.

Where is schüllerite found?+

Notable localities include Schwarzenberg, Germany; Kola Peninsula, Russia; San Benito County, California.

What rocks look like schüllerite?+

Schüllerite is most often confused with Andradite, Grossularite Garnet. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with schüllerite?+

Schüllerite commonly co-occurs with Calcite, Diopside, Epidote. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does schüllerite form in?+

Schüllerite typically forms in skarn deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is schüllerite used for?+

Schüllerite is used in collector.

Find schüllerite on the map

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