Paulmooreite is a rare lead arsenite mineral found almost exclusively in the famous Långban mines of Sweden. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale yellow tabular crystals often associated with various manganese minerals. Because it contains both lead and arsenic, it is strictly a specimen for advanced mineral collectors and requires cautious handling.
Is this paulmooreite?
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 paulmooreite with a known reference. Paulmooreite 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. Paulmooreite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paulmooreite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Paulmooreite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paulmooreite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paulmooreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂As₂O₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese-iron Skarn Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-1500 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find paulmooreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese-iron skarn deposits country — that is the host setting where paulmooreite typically forms. If you start seeing långbanite, hausmannite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paulmooreite?+
Where is paulmooreite found?+
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Is paulmooreite safe to handle?+
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What minerals are found with paulmooreite?+
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Find paulmooreite on the map
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