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 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. 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.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Plumbonacrite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Plumbonacrite and adamantine, pearly on {0001} on Hydrocerussite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Plumbonacrite and adamantine on Phosgenite.
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
- Pb₅(CO₃)₃O(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 7.07 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy or micaceous aggregates, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Rare in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal polymetallic deposits
Where rockhounds find plumbonacrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mammoth-St. Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
- Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Rare in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal polymetallic deposits. If you start seeing anglesite, linarite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy or micaceous aggregates, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumbonacrite?+
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Is plumbonacrite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like plumbonacrite?+
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Find plumbonacrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
