Susannite is a rare lead sulfate-carbonate mineral that is structurally related to leadhillite but crystallizes in the trigonal system. It typically forms as small, clear, rhombohedral crystals in the oxidation zones of lead mines, often occurring alongside other secondary lead minerals. It is highly prized by collectors for its brilliant adamantine luster and rarity in fine crystal specimens.
Is this susannite?
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 susannite with a known reference. Susannite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Susannite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Susannite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, greenish-yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, sometimes tabular.
Often confused with
Susannite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside susannite
Minerals reported to co-occur with susannite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄SO₄(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 6.5-6.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Sometimes Tabular
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $300-2000 cabinet
Where rockhounds find susannite
Classic worldwide localities
- Leadhills, Scotland
- Wanlockhead, Scotland
- Monteponi Mine, Italy
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where susannite typically forms. If you start seeing leadhillite, lanarkite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, sometimes tabular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find susannite on the map
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