Drugmanite is a rare lead-iron phosphate mineral typically found as small, colorless to white tabular crystals in oxidized zones. It is most famously associated with the Re দশমিকd Mine in Belgium, where it occurs as a secondary mineral in lead deposits.
Is this drugmanite?
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 drugmanite with a known reference. Drugmanite sits at Mohs <6, 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: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to blocky crystals, often in radial aggregates or crusts.
Often confused with
Drugmanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Drugmanite is noticeably harder (Mohs <6 vs. 3.5-4); luster reads adamantine on Drugmanite and resinous to subadamantine on Pyromorphite.
How to tell apart: Drugmanite is noticeably harder (Mohs <6 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads adamantine on Drugmanite and vitreous, resinous to dull on Plumbogummite.
Often found alongside drugmanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with drugmanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Fe(PO₄)(PO₃OH)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- <6
- Density
- 5.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to blocky crystals, often in radial aggregates or crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare, formed at low temperatures in vugs in mineralized limestones, an oxidation product of disseminated sulfides
Where rockhounds find drugmanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Richelle, near Visé, Belgium
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare, formed at low temperatures in vugs in mineralized limestones, an oxidation product of disseminated sulfides. If you start seeing anglesite, corkite, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular to blocky crystals, often in radial aggregates or crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find drugmanite on the map
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