Pattersonite is a rare lead-iron sulfide that occurs as a rare local variation within basalt cavities. It is visually indistinguishable from massive galena to the naked eye and typically requires chemical analysis or X-ray diffraction for definitive identification.
Is this pattersonite?
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 pattersonite with a known reference. Pattersonite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: encrustations.
Often confused with
Pattersonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pattersonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Pattersonite leaves very pale yellow, Galena leaves lead-gray; luster reads adamantine on Pattersonite and metallic on Galena.
How to tell apart: Pattersonite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Pattersonite leaves very pale yellow, Altaite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Pattersonite and metallic on Altaite.
Often found alongside pattersonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pattersonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.04 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very pale yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations
- Cleavage
- One poor direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral on goethite in a weathered metallic sulfide mineral vein
Where rockhounds find pattersonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grube Vereinigung, near Eisenbach, Taunus, Hesse, Germany (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral on goethite in a weathered metallic sulfide mineral vein. If you start seeing kintoreite, goethite, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pattersonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
