Plattnerite is a heavy lead oxide mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of lead-rich hydrothermal veins. It often appears as dark, submetallic, needle-like or prismatic crystals, though it can also occur as massive crusts.
Is this plattnerite?
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 plattnerite with a known reference. Plattnerite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Plattnerite leaves a brownish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plattnerite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, acicular, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Plattnerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Plattnerite leaves brownish-black, Pyrolusite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Plattnerite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Plattnerite leaves brownish-black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Plattnerite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Plattnerite leaves brownish-black, Rutile leaves pale brown to yellow; luster reads submetallic on Plattnerite and metallic to adamantine on Rutile.
Often found alongside plattnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plattnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 9.4-9.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish-black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Acicular, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find plattnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Idaho, USA
- Mapimi, Mexico
- Laurion, Greece
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where plattnerite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, galena, smithsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, acicular, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find plattnerite on the map
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