Somersetite is an extremely rare lead carbonate mineral first discovered in the Mendip Hills of England. It typically forms as small, colorless to white tabular crystals in cavities of oxidized lead-bearing ores. Collectors value it highly due to its rarity and specific type locality association.
Is this somersetite?
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 somersetite with a known reference. Somersetite 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. Somersetite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Somersetite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Somersetite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Somersetite and adamantine on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Hydrocerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Somersetite and pearly on Hydrocerussite.
Often found alongside somersetite
Minerals reported to co-occur with somersetite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₈(CO₃)₆(OH)₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.51 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Mineralized Limestone
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find somersetite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mendip Hills, Somerset, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich mineralized limestone country — that is the host setting where somersetite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, hydrocerussite, phosgenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify somersetite?+
Where is somersetite found?+
How much is somersetite worth?+
Is somersetite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like somersetite?+
What minerals are found with somersetite?+
What kind of rock does somersetite form in?+
What is somersetite used for?+
Find somersetite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
