Lazaridisite is a rare cadmium sulfate that forms colorless clusters. It is a secondary mineral from the weathering of primary hawleyite and greenockite. It was first described from the Esperanza Mine, Kaminiza area, #19 Mine, Ano Sounio area, Greece.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Lazaridisite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this lazaridisite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch lazaridisite with a known reference. Lazaridisite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: clusters.

Often confused with

Lazaridisite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Lazaridisite and waxy to vitreous on Leonite.

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Often found alongside lazaridisite

Minerals reported to co-occur with lazaridisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cd₃(SO₄)₃(H₂O)₆·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 3.10 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Clusters
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary mineral from the weathering of primary hawleyite and greenockite

Where rockhounds find lazaridisite

Classic worldwide localities

Esperanza Mine, Kaminiza area, #19 Mine, Ano Sounio area, and at the North Mine, Villia area, Lavrion Mining District, Greece

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary mineral from the weathering of primary hawleyite and greenockite. If you start seeing voudourisite, sphalerite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: clusters. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lazaridisite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is lazaridisite found?+

Notable localities include Esperanza Mine, Kaminiza area, #19 Mine, Ano Sounio area, and at the North Mine, Villia area, Lavrion Mining District, Greece.

Is lazaridisite safe to handle?+

Lazaridisite contains cadmium and calls for real care. Contains cadmium, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid creating dust.

What rocks look like lazaridisite?+

Lazaridisite is most often confused with Blödite, Leonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lazaridisite?+

Lazaridisite commonly co-occurs with Voudourisite, Sphalerite, Galena, Edwardsite, Chalcanthite, Gypsum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lazaridisite form in?+

Where it forms: A secondary mineral from the weathering of primary hawleyite and greenockite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lazaridisite used for?+

Lazaridisite is used in collector.

Find lazaridisite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.