Nasledovite is a rare carbonate mineral discovered in the lead-zinc deposits of Tajikistan. It typically occurs as massive, chalky-looking white to light-colored compact aggregates found in hydrothermal zones associated with other lead minerals.
Is this nasledovite?
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 nasledovite with a known reference. Nasledovite 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: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: snow white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, oolitic, radial.
Often confused with
Nasledovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Calcite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); luster reads silky on Nasledovite and vitreous; pearly on cleavages and {0001} on Calcite.
How to tell apart: Cerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3-3.5 vs. 2); luster reads silky on Nasledovite and adamantine, tending toward vitreous, resinous on Cerussite.
Often found alongside nasledovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nasledovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbMn²⁺₃Al₄O₅(SO₄)(CO₃)₄·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.069 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, oolitic, radial
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare fracture filling in oxidized granodiorite porphyry which also hosts polymetallic ores
Where rockhounds find nasledovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Altyn-Topkan, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare fracture filling in oxidized granodiorite porphyry which also hosts polymetallic ores. If you start seeing pyrolusite, iron oxide, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, oolitic, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nasledovite on the map
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