Cesàrolite is a rare lead-manganese oxide mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of hydrothermal ore deposits. It usually appears as dark, earthy, or massive coatings, making it a challenging species for field identification without chemical testing.
Is this cesàrolite?
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 cesàrolite with a known reference. Cesàrolite 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: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: steel gray, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: botryoidal, encrustations, friable.
Often confused with
Cesàrolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cesàrolite leaves black, Psilomelane leaves brownish black; luster reads dull to submetallic on Cesàrolite and submetallic on Psilomelane.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to submetallic on Cesàrolite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Hausmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Cesàrolite leaves black, Hausmannite leaves dark reddish brown; luster reads dull to submetallic on Cesàrolite and submetallic on Hausmannite.
Often found alongside cesàrolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cesàrolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbMn₃O₆(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5.29 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Dull to submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, encrustations, friable
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in galena
Where rockhounds find cesàrolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Sidi Amor Ben Salem, Tunisia
- Found in the Mori mine, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
- Clara Mine, near Oberwolfach, Black Forest, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in galena. If you start seeing galena, coronadite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: botryoidal, encrustations, friable. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cesàrolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
