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, 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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