Leadhillite is a beautiful, rare lead carbonate-sulfate mineral often found in the oxidized zones of lead ore deposits. It is best known for its pseudo-hexagonal crystal habit and its distinct fluorescence, appearing bright yellow or orange under shortwave UV light.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Leadhillite

Also: maxite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this leadhillite?

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 leadhillite with a known reference. Leadhillite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leadhillite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Leadhillite typically shows a adamantine luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, pale gray, pale green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: pseudo-hexagonal tabular or rhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside leadhillite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₄SO₄(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 6.55 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow Pale Gray Pale Green
Streak: White
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Pseudo-hexagonal Tabular or Rhombohedral Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Fluorescence: Bright Yellow to Orange Under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Lead Deposits
Typical price: $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen

Where rockhounds find leadhillite

Classic worldwide localities

Leadhills, Scotland
Tiger Mine, Arizona, USA
Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, Arizona, USA
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
Broken Hill, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized lead deposits country, the host setting where leadhillite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudo-hexagonal tabular or rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify leadhillite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. It typically shows a adamantine luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow, pale gray.

Where is leadhillite found?+

Notable localities include Leadhills, Scotland; Tiger Mine, Arizona, USA; Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, Arizona, USA; Tsumeb Mine, Namibia; Broken Hill, Australia.

How much is leadhillite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is leadhillite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains lead. Avoid creating dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling to prevent ingestion or inhalation. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like leadhillite?+

Leadhillite is most often confused with Susannite, Lanarkite, Cerussite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with leadhillite?+

Leadhillite commonly co-occurs with Cerussite, Anglesite, Pyromorphite, Galena, Smithsonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does leadhillite form in?+

Leadhillite typically forms in oxidized lead deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is leadhillite used for?+

Leadhillite is used in collector.

Find leadhillite on the map

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