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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous.
- 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: Streak differs, so Hydroplumboelsmoreite leaves yellow, Pyrochlore leaves brown; luster reads resinous on Hydroplumboelsmoreite and vitreous to resinous on Pyrochlore.
How to tell apart: Hydroplumboelsmoreite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2.75-3); 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 to adamantine 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
- (Pb□)(W₁.₃₃Fe₀.₆₇)O₆(H₂O)
- 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
Where rockhounds find hydroplumboelsmoreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Elsmore, New South Wales, Australia
- Erzgebirge, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: granitic greisens and hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing cassiterite, quartz, wolframite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hydroplumboelsmoreite?+
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Is hydroplumboelsmoreite safe to handle?+
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Find hydroplumboelsmoreite on the map
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