Lanarkite is a rare lead sulfate mineral primarily found in the oxidized zones of lead mines. It is best known for its high-luster, bladed crystals that typically occur in small, delicate clusters often associated with other lead minerals like anglesite and cerussite.
Is this lanarkite?
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 lanarkite with a known reference. Lanarkite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, 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: adamantine to resinous, pearly on cleavage surfaces.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish white, gray, gray white, yellow, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: lath-like, tabular crystals, sometimes bladed or massive.
Often confused with
Lanarkite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lanarkite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lanarkite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂OSO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 6.92 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine to resinous, pearly on cleavage surfaces
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lath-like, tabular crystals, sometimes bladed or massive
- Cleavage
- On {201}, perfect; on {401}, {201}, {010}, imperfect
- Fluorescence
- Yellow under LW UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of lead sulfide deposits
Where rockhounds find lanarkite
Classic worldwide localities
- Leadville district, Lake Co., Colorado, USA
- C & B mine, Dripping Springs Mountains, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
- Susanna mine, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland
- Meadowfoot smelter, near Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire, in slag, Scotland
- Gravel Hill mine, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall, England
- Frongoch mine, Dyfed, Wales
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of lead sulfide deposits. If you start seeing cerussite, leadhillite, susannite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lath-like, tabular crystals, sometimes bladed or massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lanarkite?+
Where is lanarkite found?+
Is lanarkite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like lanarkite?+
What minerals are found with lanarkite?+
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Find lanarkite on the map
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