Sanrománite is an extremely rare lead-bearing carbonate mineral discovered in the historic silver mines of Hiendelaencina. It typically occurs as small, tabular crystals within hydrothermally altered host rock and is a significant interest to advanced collectors due to its restricted type locality.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareCarbonate Mineral family

Sanrománite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this sanrománite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch sanrománite with a known reference. Sanrománite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Sanrománite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Cerussite

Mohs 3-3.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Sanrománite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Sanrománite and adamantine, pearly on {0001} on Hydrocerussite.

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Often found alongside sanrománite

Minerals reported to co-occur with sanrománite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂CaPb₃(CO₃)₅
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 3.71 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Pale yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Burbankite group

Where rockhounds find sanrománite

Classic worldwide localities

Mina Santa Rosa, Iquique, Northern Chile (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Burbankite group. If you start seeing cerussite, hydrocerussite, dolomite 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 sanrománite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, pale yellow.

Where is sanrománite found?+

Notable localities include Mina Santa Rosa, Iquique, Northern Chile (type locality).

Is sanrománite safe to handle?+

Sanrománite contains lead. Contains lead; avoid inhaling dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling to prevent ingestion.

What rocks look like sanrománite?+

Sanrománite is most often confused with Cerussite, Hydrocerussite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with sanrománite?+

Sanrománite commonly co-occurs with Cerussite, Hydrocerussite, Dolomite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sanrománite form in?+

Where it forms: Burbankite group. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sanrománite used for?+

Sanrománite is used in collector.

Find sanrománite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.