Asisite is a rare lead-silicate mineral found almost exclusively in the oxidized zones of the famous Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. It typically forms bright yellow, thin tabular crystals that appear as delicate, transparent plates within mineralized cavities.
Is this asisite?
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 asisite with a known reference. Asisite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Asisite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Asisite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright yellow, lemon yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: thin tabular crystals, lamellar aggregates.
Often confused with
Asisite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Asisite leaves yellow, Penfieldite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Laurionite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Asisite leaves yellow, Laurionite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Asisite leaves yellow, Mendipite leaves white.
Often found alongside asisite
Minerals reported to co-occur with asisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₇SiO₈Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.98 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Thin Tabular Crystals, Lamellar Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-rich Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-2000 per specimen
Where rockhounds find asisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-rich hydrothermal mineral deposits country — that is the host setting where asisite typically forms. If you start seeing wulfenite, cerussite, mimetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a thin tabular crystals, lamellar aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find asisite on the map
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