Fleischerite is a rare lead-germanium sulfate typically found as fine, needle-like acicular crystals or radiating tufts. It is most famous for its occurrences in the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia, often associated with other rare lead-based secondary minerals. Collectors prize it for its delicate crystalline forms and its unique chemistry featuring germanium.
Is this fleischerite?
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 fleischerite with a known reference. Fleischerite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, 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: silky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, light pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Fleischerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Quartz is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 2.5-3); luster reads silky in aggregates on Fleischerite and vitreous; waxy to dull when massive on Quartz.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky in aggregates on Fleischerite and adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky in aggregates on Fleischerite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
Often found alongside fleischerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fleischerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃Ge(SO₄)₂(OH)₆·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 4.2-4.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare in an oxidized portion of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal germanium-bearing polymetallic ore deposit
Where rockhounds find fleischerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare in an oxidized portion of a dolostone-hosted hydrothermal germanium-bearing polymetallic ore deposit. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, melanotekite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fleischerite on the map
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