Pyromorphite
Image: Freddo213 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NamePyromorphite
Chemical FormulaPb₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lusterresinous
Streak Colorwhite to yellowish-white
Cleavagepoor on {1010}
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity6.5
Colorsgreen, orange, brown
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityDaoping Mine (Tangping Mine), Gongcheng City, Gongcheng County, Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
Mineral GroupPhosphates
Usescollector's mineral, minor lead ore
Associated Mineralsgalena, cerussite, mimetite, wulfenite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A dense cluster of vibrant green, prismatic pyromorphite crystals, many displaying distinct orange to brownish caps or terminations.
Geological Context
Pyromorphite is a secondary mineral that forms in the oxidized zone of lead ore deposits, typically as an alteration product of primary lead minerals like galena.
