Plumbonacrite is a rare lead carbonate mineral often found as an alteration product of other lead minerals in oxidized ore zones. Collectors typically identify it by its pearly, micaceous appearance and specific occurrence in secondary lead deposit environments.
Is this plumbonacrite?
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 plumbonacrite with a known reference. Plumbonacrite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Plumbonacrite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plumbonacrite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, grayish, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy or micaceous aggregates, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Plumbonacrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside plumbonacrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumbonacrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₀(CO₃)₆O(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.0-6.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Aggregates, Microscopic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find plumbonacrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mendip Hills, England
- Laurion, Greece
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead deposits country — that is the host setting where plumbonacrite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, hydrocerussite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous aggregates, microscopic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumbonacrite?+
Where is plumbonacrite found?+
How much is plumbonacrite worth?+
Is plumbonacrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like plumbonacrite?+
What minerals are found with plumbonacrite?+
What kind of rock does plumbonacrite form in?+
What is plumbonacrite used for?+
Find plumbonacrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
