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 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cesàrolite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cesàrolite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: massive, crusts, or earthy aggregates.
Often confused with
Cesàrolite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Romanèchite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 4); streak differs — Cesàrolite leaves black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads dull on Cesàrolite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
How to tell apart: Pyrolusite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4); luster reads dull on Cesàrolite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Hausmannite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 4); streak differs — Cesàrolite leaves black, Hausmannite leaves brownish-red; luster reads dull 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
- Pb₃Mn₆O₁₄(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Or Earthy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-manganese Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micromounts or small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find cesàrolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Touissit, Morocco
- M'Fouati, Republic of the Congo
- Sardinia, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-manganese ore deposits country — that is the host setting where cesàrolite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, galena, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, or earthy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cesàrolite?+
Where is cesàrolite found?+
How much is cesàrolite worth?+
Is cesàrolite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cesàrolite?+
What minerals are found with cesàrolite?+
What kind of rock does cesàrolite form in?+
What is cesàrolite used for?+
Find cesàrolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
