Sardignaite is a rare secondary lead sulfate-carbonate mineral first discovered in the lead-zinc mines of Sardinia. It typically presents as small, yellow, tabular crystals or crusts forming in oxidized zones of ore deposits where lead-bearing minerals have undergone weathering.
Is this sardignaite?
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 sardignaite with a known reference. Sardignaite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sardignaite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sardignaite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, aggregates.
Often confused with
Sardignaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sardignaite leaves yellow, Anglesite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sardignaite leaves yellow, Cerussite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Sardignaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Sardignaite leaves yellow, Lanarkite leaves white.
Often found alongside sardignaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sardignaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄(SO₄)(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.5-4.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sardignaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sa Duchessa Mine, Sardinia, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-zinc ore deposits country — that is the host setting where sardignaite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, anglesite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sardignaite?+
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Find sardignaite on the map
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