Plumbotsumite is a rare lead silicate mineral known primarily from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. It typically appears as thin, pearly white plates or delicate radiating clusters occurring as late-stage secondary minerals in oxidized ore zones.
Is this plumbotsumite?
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 plumbotsumite with a known reference. Plumbotsumite 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. Plumbotsumite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Plumbotsumite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Plumbotsumite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Plumbotsumite and adamantine on Plumboselite.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Plumbotsumite and adamantine on Cerussite.
Often found alongside plumbotsumite
Minerals reported to co-occur with plumbotsumite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₅Si₄O₁₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Polymetallic Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and matrix association
Where rockhounds find plumbotsumite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits country — that is the host setting where plumbotsumite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify plumbotsumite?+
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Find plumbotsumite on the map
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