Symesite is a very rare lead oxychloride sulfate that typically occurs as small, translucent, bright yellow 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 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Symesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Symesite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular, foliated.
Often confused with
Symesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wulfenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); luster reads adamantine on Symesite and resinous on Wulfenite.
How to tell apart: Baryte is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads adamantine on Symesite and vitreous on Baryte.
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
- Pb₁₀(SO₄)O₇Cl₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.8-6.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Mineralization in Limestone
- Typical price
- $100-500 per micro to thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find symesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Merehead Quarry, Somerset, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich mineralization in limestone country — that is the host setting where symesite typically forms. If you start seeing mendipite, cerussite, hydrocerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find symesite on the map
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