Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (7 online) Mindat Auctions

Litharge

Big Photo

Milltown Quarry, Milltown, Ashover, Derbyshire, England, UK
© Steve Rust

Show Litharge Photos (14)
Formula:
PbO
System:TetragonalColour:Red
Hardness:2
Name:From the Greek λιθάργνρος, the name given by Dioscorides to a material obtained in the process of separating lead from silver by fire metallurgy.
This page provides mineralogical data about Litharge.

Classification of Litharge

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.06-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.AC.20

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
C : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with large cations (+- smaller ones)
Dana 8th edition ID:4.2.4.1

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.11.21

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
11 : Oxides of Sn and Pb
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2466.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Litharge

Type Locality:Cucamonga Peak, Cucamonga Wilderness, San Bernardino Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1917

Physical Properties of Litharge

Lustre:Greasy, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Red
Hardness (Mohs):2
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {110}.
Density (measured):9.14 g/cm3
Density (calculated):9.35 g/cm3
Comment:Measured on synthetic material

Crystallography of Litharge

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:P4/nmm (P4/n 21/m 2/m)
Cell Parameters:a = 3.9729Å, c = 5.0217Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.264
Unit Cell Volume:V 79.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Alteration borders on scales or tablets of massicot; crusts. Artificial crystals are tabular {001}.

Optical Data of Litharge

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 2.665 nε = 2.535
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.130

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High

Chemical Properties of Litharge

Formula:
PbO
Essential elements:O, Pb
All elements listed in formula:O, Pb

Relationship of Litharge to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.AC.05Swedenborgite
NaBe
 
4
SbO
 
7
4.AC.10Brownmillerite
Ca
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5
4.AC.10Srebrodolskite
Ca
 
2
Fe
 
2
O
 
5
4.AC.15Montroydite
HgO
4.AC.20Romarchite
SnO
4.AC.25Massicot
PbO
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.11.1Romarchite
SnO
7.11.2Cassiterite
SnO
 
2
7.11.4Schoenfliesite
Mg[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.5Burtite
Ca[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.6Vismirnovite
Zn[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.7Wickmanite
Mn
2+
 
[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.8Tetrawickmanite
Mn
2+
 
[Sn
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.9Jeanbandyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[Sn
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.10Natanite
Fe
2+
 
[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.11Mushistonite
(Cu,Zn,Fe
2+
 
)[Sn(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.12Ferronigerite-2N1S
Sn(Fe,Mg)Al
 
6
O
 
11
(OH)
7.11.13Magnesionigerite
7.11.14Argutite
GeO
 
2
7.11.15Brunogeierite
(Ge,Fe)Fe
 
2
O
 
4
7.11.16Stottite
Fe
2+
 
[Ge
4+
 
(OH)
 
6
]
7.11.17Carboirite
FeAl
 
2
GeO
 
5
(OH)
 
2
7.11.18Otjisumeite
PbGe
 
4
O
 
9
7.11.19Bartelkeite
PbFe
2+
 
Ge
 
3
O
 
8
7.11.20Massicot
PbO
7.11.22Minium
Pb
 
3
O
 
4
7.11.23Plattnerite
PbO
 
2
7.11.24Scrutinyite
alpha-PbO
 
2
7.11.25Murdochite
PbCu
 
6
O
 
8-x
(Cl,Br)
 
2x
 x<=0.5
7.11.26Macedonite
PbTiO
 
3
7.11.27Cesàrolite
PbH
 
2
Mn
 
3
O
 
8
7.11.28Coronadite
Pb(Mn,Mn)
 
8
O
 
16
7.11.29Quenselite
PbMnO
 
2
(OH)
7.11.30Plumboferrite
PbFe
 
4
O
 
7
7.11.31Magnetoplumbite
(Pb,Mn)(Fe,Mn)
 
12
O
 
19
7.11.32Senaite
Pb(Ti,Fe,Mn)
 
21
O
 
38

Other Names for Litharge

Synonyms:
LitargiaLithargite
German names:
GoldglätteLithargit
Russian names:
Глет
Spanish names:
Lithargita

Other Information

Thermal Behaviour:Converts at 488°C into massicot
Health Warning:Contains lead - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.

References for Litharge

Reference List:Michel (1890), Bull. soc. min.: 13: 56.

Hintze (1910): 1(2A): 1934.

Scott (1914), Mineralogical Magazine: 17: 143.

Larsen, E.S. (1917), Massicot and litharge, the two modifications of lead monoxide: American Mineralogist: 2: 18-19.

Shannon (1927), Economic Geology: 22: 826.

Applebey and Powell (1931), Journal Chem. Soc. London: 2821.

Darbyshire (1932), Journal Chem. Soc. London: 211.

Acta Crystallographica: 14: 1304.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 514-515.

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen (1960): 94: 1187.

Neumüller, O.-A. (1979) "Römpp's Chemie-Lexikon", 8th ed., Franckh (Stuttgart).

Internet Links for Litharge

Search Engines:
  • Look for Litharge on Google
  • Look for Litharge images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Litharge on Webmineral
  • Look for Litharge on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Litharge on Wikipedia
  • Look for Litharge on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Litharge in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Litharge details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Litharge specimens
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Search for Litharge on minvision.com
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Litharge

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • St Martin am Silberberg
    		Blaß, G., Graf, H.-W. & Pichler, A. (1997): Sekundäre Neubildungen in Schlacken von St. Martin am Silberberg in Kärnten (2). Mineralien-Welt, 8(6), 54-55.
    • Salzburg
      • Lungau
        • Murwinkel
          • Schellgaden
            • Gold mines
    		C. Auer: Lapis 20(11):11-20 (1995)
    • Styria
      • Niedere Tauern Mts
        • Öblarn
          • Walchen
    		[Lapis 1992: 2 p.19-30]
    Belgium
     
    • Namur Province
      • Andenne
    		No reference listed
    Bolivia
     
    • Cochabamba Department
      • Mizque Province
    		Alfredo Petrov and Jaroslav Hyrsl collections
    China
     
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Shannan Prefecture
        • Qusum (Qusong) Co.
    		http://www.ngu.no/FileArchive/165/2003_055.pdf Geological Survey of Norway / The Alice Wain Memorial West Norway Eclogite Field Symposium / Abstract Volume p. 8.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
        • Příbram
    		[Der Aufschluss 1996:6 p.267-287]
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Haut-Rhin
        • Ste Marie-aux-Mines (Markirch)
    		Wittern, Journée: "Mineralien finden in den Vogesen", von Loga (Cologne), 1997
    • Brittany
      • Finistère
        • Poullaouen
    		Germain C., Leydet J-C., Saget Ph. (1990), Les minéraux de néoformation de Huelgoat (Finistère), Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°3, 3-16
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Lozère
    		No reference listed
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Loire
        • La Pacaudière
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Badenweiler
          • Badenweiler Pb mining District
            • Sehringen
    		Schlomann, C. and Steen, H. (1990) Neue Mineralfunde aus dem Bergbaugebiet von Badenweiler im Südschwarzwald. Lapis, 15 (12), 13-20; 50. (in German)
    S. Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Hausach
          • Einbach valley
    		[Wittern,A. (1995) Mineralien finden im Schwarzwald]
        • Schapbach
          • Wildschapbach valley
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • St Blasien
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
          • Urberg
    		Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Clausthal-Zellerfeld
          • Oberschulenberg
    		No reference listed
        • Goslar
          • Astfeld
    		No reference listed
        • Lautenthal
    		No reference listed
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Aachen
        • Stolberg
    International Association of Collectors of Slag
      • Sauerland
        • Arnsberg
          • Hüsten
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
        • Sundern
          • Bönkhausen
    		Lapis, 14 (2), 22-27+33+42.
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Lahn valley
        • Bad Ems District
          • Braubach
    		Lapis, 16 (1), 38-53+58.
      • Siegerland
        • Niederfischbach
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
      • Westerwald
        • Rheinbreitbach
    		Schnorrer-Köhler, G., (1988): Mineralogische Notizen IV, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 39, 153-168
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Megala Pefka area
            • Megala Pefka Mines
    		Lapis, 24, 7/8 (1999)
          • Soureza area
    		No reference listed
        • Lavrion District slag localities
          • Oxygon area
    		No reference listed
          • Passa Limani area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet, and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals of the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
          • Sounion area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
          • Thorikos area
    		Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Fluminimaggiore
          • Oridda Valley
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
        • Iglesias
    		Stara, P., Rizzo, R., Tanca, G.A. (1996): Iglesiente - Arburese. Miniere e Minerali. Edito a cura dell'EMSA e "varie associazioni mineralogiche", Volume 1, 238 pp.
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Campiglia Marittima
    		Int. Assoc. of Collectors of Slag Minerals, 10 (2), 4-6.
        • Piombino
    		Lapis, 20 (4), 13-18+50.
    Mexico
     
    • Aguascalientes
      • Mun. de Asientos
        • Asientos
    		Panczner(1987): 77-265.
    • Baja California Norte
      • Mun. de Ensenada
        • El Alamo
    		Panczner(1987):252.
    • Chihuahua
      • Mun. de Batopilas
        • Andres del Rio District
    		No reference listed
      • Mun. de Cusihuiriáchic
        • Cusihuiriáchic
    		Panczner (1987): 118-310.
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Guanaceví
        • Guanaceví
    		Panczner(1987):252.
    Panczner(1987):252.
    Panczner (1987): 252.
      • Mun. de Mapimí
        • Mapimí
    		Rocks & Min.: 56:247.
    • Guanajuato
      • Mun. de San Luis de la Paz
        • Mineral de Pozos
    		Panczner (1987): 79-343.
    Panczner (1987): 252.
    • Guerrero
      • Mun. de Arcelia
        • Campo Morado
    		Panczner(1987):252.
    Panczner (1987): 252.
    • Hidalgo
      • Mun. de Zimapán
        • Zimapán
    		Panczner(1987):142-317.
    • Jalisco
      • Mun. de Bolaños
        • Bolaños
    		Panczner (1987):80-393; Dana 7:I:518.
    • Oaxaca
      • Mun. de Ocotlán de Morelos
        • Ocotlán de Morelos
    		Panczner (1987): 253.
    • San Luis Potosí
      • Mun. de Catorce
        • Catorce (Real de Catorce)
    		Panczner (1987): 253.
        • Mineral de La Purísima Concepción
    		Panczner (1987): 133, 240 & 253.
      • Mun. de Villa de La Paz
        • La Paz
    		Panczner(1987): 253.
    Panczner (1987): 253.
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Cumpas
        • Cumpas
    		Panczner (1987): 253.
      • Mun. de Sahuaripa
        • Mulatos
    		Panczner(1987):253.
    Panczner (1987): 253.
    • Zacatecas
      • Mun. de Concepción del Oro
        • Albarradón
    		Panczner(1987):253.
        • Aranzazú
    		Pancnzer(1987):253.
    Panczner (1987): 253.
    Panczner (1987): 253.
    Panczner (1987): 253.
      • Mun. de Zacatecas
        • Zacatecas
    		Panczner(1987):253.
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Mount Sarhro area
          • Bou Skour
    		Dietrich, J.E. & Favreau, G. (2005) Bou Skour (Maroc) : au pays des wulfenites bleues, Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 89, pp 106-114
        • Tazenakht
          • Bou Azzer District
            • Oumlil
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Russia
     
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Primorskiy Kray
    		[MinRec 32:8]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		Pekov, I.V. & Podlesnyi, A.S. (2004): Kukisvumchorr Deposit: Mineralogy of Alkaline Pegmatites and Hydrotermalites. Mineralogical Almanac, vol. 7, 140 pages + xxiv photo's pages; Krivovichev, S.V., Pakhomovsky, Ya.A., Ivanyuk, G.Yu., Mikhailova, J.A., Men’shikov, Yu.P., Armbruster, Th., Selivanova, E.A., Meisser, N. (2007): Yakovenchukite-(Y), K3NaCaY2(Si12O30)(H2O)4, a new mineral from the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia: A novel type of octahedral-tetrahedral open-framework structure. American Mineralogist, 92, 1525-1530.
              • Kirovskii apatite mine (Kirovsky Mine; Kirov Mine)
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 92, pages 1525-1530, 2007
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark
    		Kjell Gatedal
        • Pajsberg
    		No reference listed
    UK
     
    • England
      • Derbyshire
        • Ashover
          • Milltown
    		[Rust, S. Seltene Mineralien aus dem Steinbruch Milltown bei Ashover LAPIS Mineralienmagazin 1994, 12, p.13-17, 58]
      • North Yorkshire
        • North Pennines
          • Swaledale
            • Reeth
    		A Thompson collection
    • Scotland
      • Dumfries & Galloway (Dumfries-shire) and Strathclyde (Lanarkshire)
        • Leadhills-Wanlockhead District
          • Wanlockhead
    		BMS Database
    • Wales
      • Ceredigion (Dyfed; Cardiganshire)
        • Upper Llanfihangell-y-Creuddyn
          • Pontrhydygroes
    		BMS Database, UKJMM 17
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Graham Co.
        • Santa Teresa Mts
          • Aravaipa District
            • Klondyke
              • Grand Reef area
                • Laurel Canyon
    		[MinRec 27:305]
      • La Paz Co.
        • Trigo Mts
          • Silver District
    		[MinRec 21:160]
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Big Horn Mts
          • Osborn District
            • Tonopah
              • Belmont Mountain
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 279.
      • Pima Co.
        • Tohono O'odom (Papago) Indian Reservation
          • Comobabi Mts
            • Cababi District (Comobabi District)
              • Mildren Mine group
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 121, 279; Williams, S.A, (1963), Oxidation of sulfide ores in the Mildren and Steppe mining districts, Pima Co., AZ, Econ.Geol.: 58: 1119-1125.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 279; Williams, S.A, (1963), Oxidation of sulfide ores in the Mildren and Steppe mining districts, Pima Co., AZ, Econ.Geol.: 58: 1119-1125.
      • Yuma Co.
        • Castle Dome Mts
          • Castle Dome District
            • Castle Dome Mine group
              • Haack Mine group
    		Wilson, E.D., et al (1951), Arizona zinc and lead deposits, part II, AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 158: 108.
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Cucamonga Wilderness
    		Hey's Mineral Index (1993)
    • Colorado
      • Lake Co.
        • Leadville District
    		MinRec 16:171-201
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State, p.234
    • Idaho
      • Blaine Co.
    		R&M 70:4 pp 242-263
    • Massachusetts
      • Hampshire Co.
        • Easthampton
    		Gleba, 1978. Massachusetts Mineral & Fossil Localities
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
        • Goodsprings District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Lodi District
          • Quartz Mountain camp
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • Texas
      • Presidio Co.
    		R&M 66:3 pp 196-224
    • Wyoming
      • Albany Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:382
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Mashonaland West
      • Kadoma District
    		Vetter, U., Weck, H.-D., Weale, T., Klosa, D., Wittich, C. and Hoffmann, K. (1999): A provisional inventory of the Sanyati oxide-zone minerals, Zimbabwe. Z. Angew. Geol. 45, 15-21.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.