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, 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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