Plumbotellurite is a rare lead tellurite mineral typically found as small, delicate radiating sprays or laths in oxidized tellurium deposits. It is most famous from the Moctezuma mine in Mexico, where it appears alongside other rare tellurium-bearing species.
Is this plumbotellurite?
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 plumbotellurite with a known reference. Plumbotellurite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, gray, gray brown, yellow gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: pseudomorphous.
Often confused with
Plumbotellurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plumbotellurite leaves yellowish gray, Tellurite leaves white; luster reads adamantine on Plumbotellurite and subadamantine on Tellurite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Plumbotellurite leaves yellowish gray, Emplectite leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Plumbotellurite and metallic on Emplectite.
Often found alongside plumbotellurite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumbotellurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbTeO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 7.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish gray
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudomorphous
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral, formed by alteration of altaite near the base of the oxidation zone of a tellurium-rich mineral deposit
Where rockhounds find plumbotellurite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zhana-Tyube Au-Te deposit, northern Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral, formed by alteration of altaite near the base of the oxidation zone of a tellurium-rich mineral deposit. If you start seeing altaite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudomorphous. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumbotellurite?+
Where is plumbotellurite found?+
Is plumbotellurite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like plumbotellurite?+
What minerals are found with plumbotellurite?+
What kind of rock does plumbotellurite form in?+
What is plumbotellurite used for?+
Find plumbotellurite on the map
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