Lislkirchnerite is a very rare lead aluminum carbonate mineral found in association with lead ores. Collectors typically encounter it as small, fragile, colorless to white tabular crystals in cavities of oxidized hydrothermal deposits.
Is this lislkirchnerite?
4-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 lislkirchnerite with a known reference. Lislkirchnerite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Lislkirchnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Lislkirchnerite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Hydrocerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); luster reads vitreous on Lislkirchnerite and adamantine, pearly on {0001} on Hydrocerussite.
Often found alongside lislkirchnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lislkirchnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₆Al(OH)₈Cl₂(NO₃)₅·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal veins
Where rockhounds find lislkirchnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nueva Esperanza no. 1 mine (-10 m sublevel), Capillitas deposit, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing cerussite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lislkirchnerite?+
Where is lislkirchnerite found?+
Is lislkirchnerite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like lislkirchnerite?+
What minerals are found with lislkirchnerite?+
What kind of rock does lislkirchnerite form in?+
What is lislkirchnerite used for?+
Find lislkirchnerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
