Anglesite is a secondary mineral formed by the oxidation of lead-rich ore deposits, most notably galena. Collectors value it for its high brilliance and distinct adamantine luster, though its softness and perfect cleavage make it fragile. It is most commonly found in the oxidation zones of mines alongside cerussite and other lead-rich secondary minerals.
Is this anglesite?
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 anglesite with a known reference. Anglesite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine, resinous to vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, gray, blue, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, stalactitic.
Often confused with
Anglesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite and vitreous to resinous, may be pearly on Barite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite and vitreous, pearly on cleavages on Celestine.
Often found alongside anglesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with anglesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbSO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.38 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine, resinous to vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, stalactitic
- Cleavage
- {001}, good; {210}, distinct; {010}, less distinct
- Fluorescence
- Orange-yellow pink under LW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- Common in the oxidized zone of lead deposits, where it may constitute an important ore
Where rockhounds find anglesite
14 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Wheatley mine, Phoenixville, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, USA
- Bunker Hill mine, Coeur d’Alene district, in the Hypotheek mine, south of Kingston, and the Last Chance and Tyler mines, Wardner, Shoshone Co., Idaho, USA
- Eureka Hill mine, Tintic district, Juab Co., Utah, USA
- Grand Reef mine, Graham Co., Arizona, USA
- Parys Mountain, Anglesey, Wales
- Matlock and Cromford, Derbyshire, and Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Common in the oxidized zone of lead deposits, where it may constitute an important ore. If you start seeing cerussite, leadhillite, lanarkite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, stalactitic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, Missouri, North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
More anglesite photos
Common questions
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Find anglesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
