Palmierite is a rare lead-potassium sulfate mineral typically found as a volcanic sublimates in fumarolic environments. Collectors should look for its distinctive pearly luster on small, thin, pseudo-hexagonal tabular crystals found within volcanic vent encrustations.
Is this palmierite?
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 palmierite with a known reference. Palmierite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palmierite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palmierite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, sometimes in crusts or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Palmierite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palmierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with palmierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Pb(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Sometimes in Crusts or Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits of Volcanic Vents
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find palmierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Vesuvius, Italy
- La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Italy
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits of volcanic vents country — that is the host setting where palmierite typically forms. If you start seeing thenardite, aphthitalite, langbeinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, sometimes in crusts or granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find palmierite on the map
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