Plumbojarosite is a secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of ore deposits rich in lead and iron. It typically appears as yellowish-brown earthy or microcrystalline crusts and is highly sought after by collectors of secondary lead minerals.
Is this plumbojarosite?
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 plumbojarosite with a known reference. Plumbojarosite sits at Mohs 2.5-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Plumbojarosite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plumbojarosite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microcrystalline, earthy masses, crusts, or coatings.
Often confused with
Plumbojarosite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy on Plumbojarosite and vitreous on Jarosite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Plumbojarosite leaves yellow, Limonite leaves yellowish-brown; luster reads earthy on Plumbojarosite and submetallic to earthy on Limonite.
How to tell apart: Iron Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6.5 vs. 2.5-3.5); streak differs — Plumbojarosite leaves yellow, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads earthy on Plumbojarosite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside plumbojarosite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumbojarosite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe₆(SO₄)₄(OH)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3.5
- Density
- 4.1-4.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline, Earthy Masses, Crusts, Or Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-bearing Sulfide Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-80 for small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find plumbojarosite
Classic worldwide localities
- Laurium, Greece
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-bearing sulfide deposits country — that is the host setting where plumbojarosite typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, anglesite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline, earthy masses, crusts, or coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find plumbojarosite on the map
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