Plimerite is a rare zinc-bearing phosphate mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow to green radial clusters in oxidized ore deposits. It is best identified through micro-analysis as it strongly resembles other members of the dufrénite group. Collectors prize it for its association with secondary minerals in classic mining districts like Broken Hill.
Is this plimerite?
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 plimerite with a known reference. Plimerite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale grayish-green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale olive-green, dark green, almost black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: radial aggregates, drusy crusts, small prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Plimerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plimerite leaves pale grayish-green, Dufrénite leaves green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plimerite leaves pale grayish-green, Kidwellite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Plimerite and silky on Kidwellite.
Often found alongside plimerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plimerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₂Fe₃(PO₄)₃(OH)₄(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale grayish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Radial aggregates, drusy crusts, small prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100} and {010}, distinct on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the weathering zone in seams and cavities of a quartz-garnet-goethite-rich rock
Where rockhounds find plimerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, western New South Wales, and Reaphook Hill, Flinders Range, South Australia, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the weathering zone in seams and cavities of a quartz-garnet-goethite-rich rock. If you start seeing hinsdalite-plumbogummite, calcian pyromorphite, libethenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: radial aggregates, drusy crusts, small prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plimerite?+
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What rocks look like plimerite?+
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Find plimerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
