Caracolite is a rare lead-sodium sulfate-chloride mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of Chilean mines. It often appears as small, pearly, tabular crystals or crusts coating other minerals in copper and lead-rich deposits.
Is this caracolite?
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 caracolite with a known reference. Caracolite sits at Mohs 4.5, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, colorless, greenish gray, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Caracolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Caracolite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5-3); luster reads vitreous on Caracolite and adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite.
How to tell apart: Caracolite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3-3.5); luster reads vitreous on Caracolite and adamantine, pearly on {100} on Laurionite.
Often found alongside caracolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with caracolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Pb₂(SO₄)₃Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of chlorine-rich lead deposits
Where rockhounds find caracolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Beatriz, Herminia, Santa Ana, and San Rafael mines, Sierra Gorda district, southwest of Calama, Antofagasta, Chile
- Auguste-Victoria mine, Marl-Hüls, Ruhr Valley, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of chlorine-rich lead deposits. If you start seeing boleite, pseudoboleite, bindheimite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find caracolite on the map
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