Damaraite is a very rare lead oxychloride mineral primarily known from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. It typically occurs as small, colorless to white tabular crystals or radiating sprays found in the oxidized zones of lead-rich ore bodies.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Damaraite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this damaraite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch damaraite with a known reference. Damaraite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: subhedral crystals.

Often confused with

Damaraite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside damaraite

Minerals reported to co-occur with damaraite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₃O₂(OH)Cl
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 7.84 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Subhedral crystals
Cleavage: {010}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: From a late-stage vein cutting a banded manganese ore lens in Cu–Pb–Ag ores formed by hydrothermal and metasomatic replacement of dolostones (Kombat mine, Namibia)

Where rockhounds find damaraite

Classic worldwide localities

Kombat Cu–Pb–Ag mine, 49 km south of Tsumeb, Namibia
Laurium, Greece, in slag
Found in the Elura Zn–Pb–Ag deposit, 43 km northeast of Cobar, New South Wales, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: From a late-stage vein cutting a banded manganese ore lens in Cu–Pb–Ag ores formed by hydrothermal and metasomatic replacement of dolostones (Kombat mine, Namibia). If you start seeing jacobsite, hausmannite, hematophanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify damaraite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: adamantine. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is damaraite found?+

Notable localities include Kombat Cu–Pb–Ag mine, 49 km south of Tsumeb, Namibia; Laurium, Greece, in slag; Found in the Elura Zn–Pb–Ag deposit, 43 km northeast of Cobar, New South Wales, Australia.

Is damaraite safe to handle?+

Damaraite contains lead. Contains lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and keep away from food preparation areas.

What rocks look like damaraite?+

Damaraite is most often confused with Laurionite, Penfieldite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with damaraite?+

Damaraite commonly co-occurs with Jacobsite, Hausmannite, Hematophanite, Defernite, Crednerite, Asisite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does damaraite form in?+

Where it forms: From a late-stage vein cutting a banded manganese ore lens in Cu–Pb–Ag ores formed by hydrothermal and metasomatic replacement of dolostones (Kombat mine, Namibia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is damaraite used for?+

Damaraite is used in collector.

Find damaraite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.