Dundasite is an attractive secondary lead mineral that typically forms delicate, snowy-white or pale-colored radiating spherical clusters. It is highly sought after by collectors for its aesthetic, pom-pom like habits, particularly when found associated with brilliant orange Crocoite.
Is this dundasite?
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 dundasite with a known reference. Dundasite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Dundasite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dundasite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow, pale green, blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: spherical aggregates, radiating sprays, crusts, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Dundasite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dundasite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dundasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbAl₂(CO₃)₂(OH)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.2-3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Spherical Aggregates, Radiating Sprays, Crusts, Botryoidal
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find dundasite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dundas, Tasmania
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Touissit, Morocco
- Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead deposits country, the host setting where dundasite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, crocoite, gibbsite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a spherical aggregates, radiating sprays, crusts, botryoidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dundasite on the map
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