Rickturnerite is an extremely rare lead oxychloride mineral that typically forms as small, clear, tabular crystals. It is primarily found in the oxidation zones of lead-rich ore deposits, often appearing as a secondary mineral crust or micro-crystal aggregate. Due to its scarcity and solubility, collectors usually look for it in specialized micromount collections.
Is this rickturnerite?
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 rickturnerite with a known reference. Rickturnerite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Rickturnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rickturnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rickturnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₇O₄[Mg(OH)₄](OH)Cl₃
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 6.886 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale emerald green
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Part of an assemblage of lead oxychloride minerals that occur in cavities in manganese oxide pods in limestone
Where rockhounds find rickturnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Torr Works (Merehead) quarry, near the village of Cranmore, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Part of an assemblage of lead oxychloride minerals that occur in cavities in manganese oxide pods in limestone. If you start seeing mereheadite, cerussite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rickturnerite?+
Where is rickturnerite found?+
Is rickturnerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like rickturnerite?+
What minerals are found with rickturnerite?+
What kind of rock does rickturnerite form in?+
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Find rickturnerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
