Gebhardite is a rare lead arsenic oxychloride mineral typically found as small, fragile, yellow to yellowish-green platy crystals. It is best known from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia, where it occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of ore deposits. Due to its high lead and arsenic content, specimens should be handled with caution and stored away from reach.
Is this gebhardite?
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 gebhardite with a known reference. Gebhardite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gebhardite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gebhardite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy or tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Gebhardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside gebhardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gebhardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₈(As₂O₅)₂OCl₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 6.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-2000+ for rare micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find gebhardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where gebhardite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, mimetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gebhardite on the map
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