Plumboselite

plumboselite

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Formula: Pb₃O₂(SeO₃)
Valence: Pb²⁺₃O₂(Se⁴⁺O₃)
Selenite of lead
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 7.814 calculated
Hardness: 2 to 3
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Plumboselite was approved in 2010 but to date (April 2026) it has been reported only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, plumboselite occurs on clausthalite and clearly formed as an oxidative alteration. Other associated minerals include smithsonite, mimetite and vaterite.
The plumboselite occurs in subparallel to divergent clusters of thin, flattened, colourless fibers up to 0.3 mm in length, but not exceeding 5 μm in width and 2 μm in thickness. Plumboselite fibres are transparent, with a white streak and a dull to adamantine lustre (AM 98.1.279–282).
Plumboselite from the Tsumeb Mine - Image

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