Yeomanite is a rare lead hydroxide that forms white to pale gray loose mats, ropey aggregates and strands of fibrous crystals. It occurs in cavities in manganese oxide pods. It was first described from the Torr Works (Merehead) quarry, East Cranmore, Somerset, England.
Is this yeomanite?
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 yeomanite with a known reference. Yeomanite sits at Mohs 0.5-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yeomanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yeomanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: loose mats, ropey aggregates and strands of fibrous crystals.
Often confused with
Yeomanite 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. 0.5-2); luster reads vitreous on Yeomanite and adamantine on Cerussite.
How to tell apart: Hydrocerussite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 0.5-2); luster reads vitreous on Yeomanite and pearly on Hydrocerussite.
Often found alongside yeomanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yeomanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂O(OH)Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 0.5-2
- Density
- 7.307 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Loose Mats, Ropey Aggregates and Strands of Fibrous Crystals
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Lead-bearing Ore Deposits
Where rockhounds find yeomanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mendip Hills, Somerset, England
- Tynebottom Mine, Cumbria, England
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized lead-bearing ore deposits country, the host setting where yeomanite typically forms. If you start seeing cerussite, hydrocerussite, phosgenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a loose mats, ropey aggregates and strands of fibrous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find yeomanite on the map
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