Abellaite is a very rare supergene mineral first discovered in the Eureka mine in Spain. It typically forms as delicate, hexagonal, transparent white platy crystals in oxidized zones of lead-rich ore deposits.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to nacreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Abellaite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous to nacreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this abellaite?

5-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 abellaite with a known reference. Abellaite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to nacreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Hydrocerussite

Mohs 3.5

How to tell apart: Hydrocerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous to nacreous on Abellaite and adamantine, pearly on {0001} on Hydrocerussite.

How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous to nacreous on Abellaite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.

Compare →

Often found alongside abellaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaPb₂(OH)(CO₃)₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 5.93 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to nacreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, crusts
Cleavage: N.d.; synthetic analog perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A post-mining, secondary mineral that forms sparse coatings from supergene enrichment of a “red-bed”, sediment-hosted U-V-Cu deposit

Where rockhounds find abellaite

Classic worldwide localities

Eureka mine, Castell-estaó, Catalan Pyrenees, Lleida province, Spain

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A post-mining, secondary mineral that forms sparse coatings from supergene enrichment of a “red-bed”, sediment-hosted U-V-Cu deposit. If you start seeing hydrozincite, aragonite, gordaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify abellaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: vitreous to nacreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is abellaite found?+

Notable localities include Eureka mine, Castell-estaó, Catalan Pyrenees, Lleida province, Spain.

Is abellaite safe to handle?+

Abellaite contains lead. Contains lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust when cleaning specimens.

What rocks look like abellaite?+

Abellaite is most often confused with Hydrocerussite, Cerussite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with abellaite?+

Abellaite commonly co-occurs with Hydrozincite, Aragonite, Gordaite, As-vanadinite, Andersonite, Čejkaite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does abellaite form in?+

Where it forms: A post-mining, secondary mineral that forms sparse coatings from supergene enrichment of a “red-bed”, sediment-hosted U-V-Cu deposit. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is abellaite used for?+

Abellaite is used in collector.

Find abellaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.