Mathewrogersite is an extremely rare lead iron germanium silicate mineral exclusively found in the oxidation zones of the Tsumeb mine. It typically presents as thin, pale yellow, platy crystals that can be easily mistaken for other common lead-bearing minerals by casual observers.
Is this mathewrogersite?
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 mathewrogersite with a known reference. Mathewrogersite sits at Mohs ~2, 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: vitreous, weakly pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, light green yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: hexagonal, platy.
Often confused with
Mathewrogersite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Calcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. ~2).
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. ~2); luster reads vitreous, weakly pearly on cleavages on Mathewrogersite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
Often found alongside mathewrogersite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mathewrogersite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₇FeAl₃GeSi₁₂O₃₆(OH,H₂O)₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 4.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, weakly pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities of corroded Pb-Zn ores in the lower oxidation zone of a polymetallic mineral deposit
Where rockhounds find mathewrogersite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities of corroded Pb-Zn ores in the lower oxidation zone of a polymetallic mineral deposit. If you start seeing queitite, alamosite, melanotekite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: hexagonal, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mathewrogersite?+
Where is mathewrogersite found?+
Is mathewrogersite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like mathewrogersite?+
What minerals are found with mathewrogersite?+
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Find mathewrogersite on the map
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