Carlhintzeite

Rare carlhintzeite on matrix from the classic Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Bavaria, Germany. The specimen shows colourless to transparent carlhintzeite forming well-developed, elongated prismatic to bladed crystals in dense crystal aggregates on matrix, displaying a bright vitreous luster typical for good material from this locality.

Carlhintzeite is a rare phosphate mineral, first described in 1982 and named in honour of Carl Hintze (1851–1916), a German mineralogist and author of the influential Handbuch der Mineralogie. The mineral forms in granitic pegmatites as a late-stage phosphate species.

The Hagendorf South Pegmatite is one of the world’s most important pegmatite localities for rare phosphate minerals and is especially well known for producing a wide variety of unusual and well-crystallized species. Carlhintzeite is considered rare, and well-developed crystal aggregates such as this represent a characteristic example for the species from this locality.

The specimen originates from the former collection of C. Strömpl, an amateur mineralogist.