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 — that is 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.
