Reynoldsite is a rare lead-manganese chromate mineral typically found as delicate, acicular, radiating sprays of yellow-orange needles. It is primarily known from select oxidized base-metal mines in Arizona, where it occurs alongside other lead-rich secondary minerals.
Is this reynoldsite?
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 reynoldsite with a known reference. Reynoldsite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Reynoldsite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Reynoldsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Reynoldsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Reynoldsite leaves yellow, Phoenicochroite leaves orange-yellow; luster reads vitreous on Reynoldsite and adamantine on Phoenicochroite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Reynoldsite leaves yellow, Vauquelinite leaves greenish-yellow; luster reads vitreous on Reynoldsite and resinous to adamantine on Vauquelinite.
Often found alongside reynoldsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with reynoldsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Mn⁺³(CrO₄)₂O(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-zinc-copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail, $500+ miniature
Where rockhounds find reynoldsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Cloud Mine, Arizona, USA
- Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-zinc-copper deposits country — that is the host setting where reynoldsite typically forms. If you start seeing wulfenite, phoenicochroite, diaboleite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find reynoldsite on the map
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