Plumboagardite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of copper-lead deposits. It typically forms as small, attractive emerald-green crystalline crusts or distinct, tiny rhombohedral crystals, most famously from the Tsumeb mine.
Is this plumboagardite?
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 plumboagardite with a known reference. Plumboagardite 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. Plumboagardite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plumboagardite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald-green, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, crusts, tabular.
Often confused with
Plumboagardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside plumboagardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumboagardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuAl₆(AsO₄)₂(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Crusts, Tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Lead-copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find plumboagardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
- Cap Garonne mine, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal lead-copper deposits country — that is the host setting where plumboagardite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, malachite, duftite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, crusts, tabular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumboagardite?+
Where is plumboagardite found?+
How much is plumboagardite worth?+
Is plumboagardite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like plumboagardite?+
What minerals are found with plumboagardite?+
What kind of rock does plumboagardite form in?+
What is plumboagardite used for?+
Find plumboagardite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
