Steverustite is a rare lead sulfate-carbonate mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow platy crystals or thin crusts in oxidized zones of lead-rich ore bodies. It is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its rarity and specific formation in complex lead-sulfate environments.
Is this steverustite?
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 steverustite with a known reference. Steverustite 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. Steverustite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Steverustite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Steverustite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Steverustite leaves yellow, Anglesite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Steverustite and adamantine on Anglesite.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Steverustite leaves yellow, Cerussite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Steverustite and adamantine on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Steverustite leaves yellow, Lanarkite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Steverustite and adamantine on Lanarkite.
Often found alongside steverustite
Minerals reported to co-occur with steverustite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₅(SO₄)(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-bearing Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find steverustite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
- Grand Reef Mine, Arizona, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-bearing ore deposits country — that is the host setting where steverustite typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find steverustite on the map
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