Hydrocerussite is a secondary mineral typically found in the oxidation zones of lead ore deposits. It often forms as a thin, pearly white coating on other lead minerals like cerussite or galena, though well-formed hexagonal crystals are highly sought after by collectors.
Is this hydrocerussite?
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 hydrocerussite with a known reference. Hydrocerussite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hydrocerussite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hydrocerussite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: hexagonal tabular crystals, massive, incrustations.
Often confused with
Hydrocerussite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hydrocerussite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydrocerussite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal Tabular Crystals, Massive, Incrustations
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find hydrocerussite
Classic worldwide localities
- Laurion, Greece
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead deposits country — that is the host setting where hydrocerussite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a hexagonal tabular crystals, massive, incrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hydrocerussite?+
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How much is hydrocerussite worth?+
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What rocks look like hydrocerussite?+
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Find hydrocerussite on the map
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