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Silicate

Plumbotsumite

Pb₅Si₄O₈(OH)₁₀
Hardness2
Crystal systemTriclinic
ClassSilicate
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Plumbotsumite specimen

Colorless crystal aggregates and cleavages of the extremely rare mineral plumbotsumite from this famous California locality (Blue Bell Mine, Zzyzx, Soda Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, United States of America). — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0

Plumbotsumite

Plumbotsumite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Pb₅Si₄O₈(OH)₁₀.

It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group C222_1).

Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 5.6; White streak; Resinous to adamantine; pearly on cleavage surfaces luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Ptm, IMA status: approved, named in 1979.

A secondary mineral developed in the oxidized zone above complex galena-bearing ores.

It is found associated with Alamosite, melanotekite (Tsumeb, Namibia); wulfenite (Tiger, Arizona, USA).

The name refers to lead, PLUMBum, in the mineral's composition, and the type locality, TSUMeb, Namibia.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more P minerals or help write this entry.