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.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Plattnerite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Plattnerite Localities Map
See where Plattnerite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
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.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Jet-black; iron-black, brownish black
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5
- Density
- 9.563 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark brown
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- PbO2
- Elements
- O, Pb
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Plattnerite FAQs
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.
What is the formation of plattnerite 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.
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