DUNDASITE

    Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Hydrated carbonates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : PbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4 H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Dundasite is a hydrated carbonate of lead. It is a rare secondary mineral from the oxidation zone of certain lead deposits, notably accompanying cerussite. It owes its name to its locality of discovery : Dundas (Tasmania, Australia). It appears in spherolites of small acicular crystals, and in felted crusts, white in color.

Main photo : Dundasite from Zlaté Hory, Jeseník District, Olomouc Region, Czech Republic © Bohuslav Bures

Dundasite from Greystone Quarry, Cornwall, England © Juan Miguel Segura
Dundasite and crocoite from Adelaide Mine Tasmania, Australia
Dundasite and pyromorphite from Nontron, Dordogne, France © Pascal Chollet
Dundasite and pyromorphite from Nontron, Dordogne, France © Yannick Vessely

Dundasite in the World

The best samples of dundasite come from mines in the Dundas region of Tasmania (Australia), where this mineral was discovered, and which are especially famous in the world of mineralogists for their extraordinary crocoite crystals. Dundasite accompanies pyromorphite and crocoite in the gossans of these lead deposits. Beautiful crystals also come from the mines of Iglesias (Sardinia, Italy). Dundasite is also known from the mines of English Cornwall.

Dundasite in France

In France, dundasite is present in Nontron (Dordogne), Cap Garonne (Var) and Mas Dieu (Gard).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2
Density : 3.1 to 3.55
Fracture : Fibrous
Streak : White

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.603 to 1.750
Birefringence : 0.147
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids


Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None