Symesite is a very rare lead oxychloride sulfate that typically occurs as small, translucent, pink tabular crystals. It is primarily found in the secondary mineral zones of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, often associated with other rare lead species. Due to its softness and high lead content, it is considered a delicate collector's mineral that requires careful handling.
Is this symesite?
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 symesite with a known reference. Symesite sits at Mohs 4, 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: venetian pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, blocky.
Often confused with
Symesite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Symesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.5); luster reads vitreous on Symesite and pearly to silky on cleavages; resinous to adamantine on fractures on Mendipite.
How to tell apart: Symesite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2.75-3); luster reads vitreous on Symesite and resinous, subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
Often found alongside symesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with symesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₁₀SO₄O₇Cl₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 7.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Venetian pink
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, blocky
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary low-temperature mineral formed from metalliferous brines moving along fractures through Mn and Fe-oxide mineral deposits in limestone
Where rockhounds find symesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Merehead Quarry, near Cranmore, Somerset, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary low-temperature mineral formed from metalliferous brines moving along fractures through Mn and Fe-oxide mineral deposits in limestone. If you start seeing cerussite, hydrocerussite, paralaurionite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, blocky. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify symesite?+
Where is symesite found?+
Is symesite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like symesite?+
What minerals are found with symesite?+
What kind of rock does symesite form in?+
What is symesite used for?+
Find symesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
