Rouseite is an exceptionally rare lead-manganese selenite mineral typically found as delicate, pale yellow bladed crystals. It is primarily known from the Moctezuma mine in Mexico, where it forms in oxidized zones of selenium-rich deposits. Collectors usually seek it in micro-mount specimens due to the small size of the crystals.
Is this rouseite?
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 rouseite with a known reference. Rouseite 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. Rouseite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rouseite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Rouseite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mcalpineite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Rouseite leaves white, Mcalpineite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Rouseite and vitreous on Mcalpineite.
How to tell apart: Denningite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); luster reads adamantine on Rouseite and vitreous on Denningite.
Often found alongside rouseite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rouseite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂Mn(SeO₃)₃H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.57 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Selenium-rich Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 for micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find rouseite
Classic worldwide localities
- Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal selenium-rich ore deposits country — that is the host setting where rouseite typically forms. If you start seeing mcalpineite, denningite, tellurium in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rouseite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
