Plumbogummite is a secondary mineral typically found as a coating or botryoidal crust in the oxidized zones of lead-bearing ore deposits. It is most prized by collectors for its vibrant blue or green spherical aggregates, often found pseudomorphing other crystals like pyromorphite.
Is this plumbogummite?
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 plumbogummite with a known reference. Plumbogummite 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. Plumbogummite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plumbogummite typically shows a greasy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellow, brown, blue, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, reniform, massive.
Often confused with
Plumbogummite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy on Plumbogummite and resinous on Pyromorphite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy on Plumbogummite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads greasy on Plumbogummite and vitreous on Wavellite.
Often found alongside plumbogummite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumbogummite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₅·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 4.0-4.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Reniform, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen depending on quality and origin
Where rockhounds find plumbogummite
Classic worldwide localities
- China
- France
- USA
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead deposits country, the host setting where plumbogummite typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, cerussite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, reniform, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumbogummite?+
Where is plumbogummite found?+
How much is plumbogummite worth?+
Is plumbogummite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like plumbogummite?+
What minerals are found with plumbogummite?+
What kind of rock does plumbogummite form in?+
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Find plumbogummite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
