How do I identify Plattnerite?

Plattnerite can be identified by its hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Jet-black; iron-black color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Plattnerite?

Plattnerite typically appears in Jet-black; iron-black, brownish black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Plattnerite?

Plattnerite has a hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Plattnerite

A variety of Minerals

What is Plattnerite?

Plattnerite is an oxide mineral and is the beta crystalline form of lead dioxide (β-PbO2), scrutinyite being the other, alpha form. It was first reported in 1845 and named after German mineralogist Karl Friedrich Plattner. Plattnerite forms bundles of dark needle-like crystals on various minerals; the crystals are hard and brittle and have tetragonal symmetry.

Plattnerite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Plattnerite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Plattnerite Localities Map

See where Plattnerite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Plattnerite

Plattnerite is found in numerous arid locations in North America (US and Mexico), most of Europe, Asia (Iran and Russia), Africa (Namibia) and Southern and Western Australia. It occurs in weathered hydrothermal base-metal deposits as hay-like bundles of dark prismatic crystals with a length of a few millimeters; the bundles grow on, or sometimes within various minerals, including cerussite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, leadhillite, hydrozincite, rosasite, aurichalcite, murdochite, limonite, pyromorphite, wulfenite, calcite and quartz.