Steverustite is a rare lead sulfate-carbonate mineral typically found as small, colorless to white 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. 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: Luster reads vitreous on Steverustite and adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Steverustite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Steverustite and adamantine to resinous, pearly on cleavage surfaces 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
- Pb₅Cu(SO₃S)₃(OH)₅·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 5.150 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, crusts
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Secondary by oxidation of galena in cavities in quartz veins
Where rockhounds find steverustite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mine dumps at the Frongoch Pb-Zn mine (type locality), Pontryhydrygroes, Upper Llanfihangelly-Creudyn, Ceredigion, Wales
- Powys, Wales, at the Nantycar mine dump, Rhayader and the Llangynog mine dump, Llangynog
- Ceredigion, Wales at the Bwlch Glas mine, Talybont
- Hendre Felen mine dump, Ysbyty Ystwyth
- Esgair Hir mine dump, Talybont
- Penybach mine dump, Talybont
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Secondary by oxidation of galena in cavities in quartz veins. If you start seeing galena, covellite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify steverustite?+
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Is steverustite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like steverustite?+
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Find steverustite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
