How do I identify Lahnsteinite?

Lahnsteinite can be identified by its hardness of 1.5 on the Mohs scale, colorless color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Lahnsteinite?

Lahnsteinite typically appears in colorless. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Lahnsteinite?

Lahnsteinite has a hardness of 1.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Lahnsteinite

A variety of Minerals

What is Lahnsteinite?

Lahnsteinite is a basic sulfate mineral first discovered in the Friedrichssegen Mine, Germany in a goethite cavity. Though found in goethite, the crystals of Lahnsteinite are few millimeters in size, and are tabular shaped. Lahnsteinite was the first mineral discovered in the Lahn Valley deposits. The empirical formula for lahnsteinite is (Zn3.3,Fe0.27,Cu0.11)3.91(S0.98O4)(OH)5*3H2.10O.

Lahnsteinite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Lahnsteinite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Lahnsteinite Localities Map

See where Lahnsteinite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Lahnsteinite

Lahnsteinite is a colorless or lightly blue colored transparent mineral. It exhibits a hardness of 1.5 on the Mohs hardness scale placing it right between talc and gypsum. This is characterized by the perfect mica-like cleavages planes parallel to the {001} face. Lahnsteinite crystals occur as hexagonal plates combining to form a triclinic cell. The major forms are {001} and {00-1} faces. Lahnsteinite is flexible with lamellae cleavages. The measured density is 2.98 g/cm.

Formation of Lahnsteinite

Lahnsteinite was first found in a cavernous kidney-like goethite. Typically Lahnsteinite is found near goethite, pyromorphite, quartz and native copper. When found with these minerals, the Lahnsteinite crystals are overgrowing the walls of several cavities. Lahnsteinite is a uniquely rare mineral, as it occurs in very small amounts in two known locations around the world. The first location is in the mine it was found in, just outside of Lahnstein Germany, the second, in a small mine in southern California..