Hydroplumboelsmoreite is a rare lead-tungsten oxide member of the pyrochlore supergroup. It typically forms as small, distinctive octahedral crystals in tungsten-bearing greisen deposits, often appearing with other heavy metal minerals.
Is this hydroplumboelsmoreite?
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 hydroplumboelsmoreite with a known reference. Hydroplumboelsmoreite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hydroplumboelsmoreite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hydroplumboelsmoreite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, orange, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Hydroplumboelsmoreite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Hydroplumboelsmoreite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Hydroplumboelsmoreite leaves yellow, Wulfenite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hydroplumboelsmoreite leaves yellow, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Hydroplumboelsmoreite and vitreous on Scheelite.
Often found alongside hydroplumboelsmoreite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydroplumboelsmoreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂W₂O₆(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 4.5-5.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granitic Greisens and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hydroplumboelsmoreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Elsmore, New South Wales, Australia
- Erzgebirge, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granitic greisens and hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where hydroplumboelsmoreite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, quartz, wolframite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hydroplumboelsmoreite on the map
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