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Pyromorphite

Big Photo

Daoping Mine, Gongcheng Co., Guilin Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Pyromorphite Photos (1883)
Formula:
Pb
 
5
[Cl|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
System:HexagonalColour:Green to dark green, ...
Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, ResinousHardness:3½ - 4
Name:Named in 1813 from the Greek for "fire" and "form" because after being melted into a globule a sample will begin to take on a crystalline shape during cooling.
Isostructural with:Mimetite, Vanadinite


Apatite Group, Pyromorphite Subgroup.
Mimetite-Pyromorphite Series. The phosphate analogue of Mimetite and Vanadinite.

A secondary lead mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead deposits. Typically found as green, yellowish, brownish, greyish or white barrel-shaped hexagonal prisms, in clusters or as druses on matrix. The individual crystals are often modified or etched, giving a hopper-like appearance. This lead chloride phosphate forms a complete series with Mimetite (lead chloride arsenate), and many specimens are intermediates between the two end-members.

Forms also a series with Unnamed (OH-analogue of pyromorphite).

Classification of Pyromorphite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.39-150
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BN.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1
Dana 7th edition ID:41.8.4.1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.8.4.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : A5(XO4)3Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:22.2.9

22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
2 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with chloride
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Occurrences of Pyromorphite

Geological Setting:A secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead ore deposits.

Physical Properties of Pyromorphite

Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Green to dark green, yellow, greenish-yellow or yellowish-green, orangish-yellow, shades of brown, white and colorless; colourless or faintly tinted in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
In traces on {1011}.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):7.04 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.109 g/cm3

Crystallography of Pyromorphite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Class (H-M):6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:P63/m
Cell Parameters:a = 9.987Å, c = 7.33Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 0.734
Unit Cell Volume:V 633.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Crystals prismatic [0001] and usually simple, showing {1010}, {0001}, {1011}; barrel-shaped, spindle shaped, and sometimes equant; terminations may be cavernous ("hopper" or "skeletal"); more rarely tabular {0001} or pyramidal; sometimes in branching groups of prismatic crystals in parallel positions, tapering to points; may also be globular, reniform, wart-like with sub-columnar structure, and granular. Crystals may show concentric growth patterns, probably due to P/As content variation.
Twinning:Very rare on {1122}
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Pyromorphite no.6 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Pyromorphite no.7 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Pyromorphite no.12 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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Epitaxial Relationships of Pyromorphite

Epitaxial Minerals:
Galena
Epitaxi Comments:Galena forms thin films on the surface of Pyromorphite crystals (Blaubleierz; Plumbeine) with Galena {001} [001] parallel with Pyromorphite {0001} (1120) (1010) [0001].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.13(50)
3.38(30)
3.27(40)
2.99(100)
2.96(100)
2.89(60)
2.064(30)
Comments:Data given are for synthetic material.

Optical Data of Pyromorphite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 2.058 nε = 2.048
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:Visible in tinted material in transmitted light.
Comments:May be anomalously biaxial -, sectored.

Chemical Properties of Pyromorphite

Formula:
Pb
 
5
[Cl|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
Essential elements:Cl, O, P, Pb
All elements listed in formula:Cl, O, P, Pb
Common Impurities:F,Ra,Ca,Cr,V,As

Relationship of Pyromorphite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Mimetite (see here)
Related to:
  • Apatite Supergroup
  • Pyromorphite Subgroup
    • Common Associates:
    WillemiteSmithsoniteSilverPlumbogummiteGalena
    CerussiteAnglesite
    Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

    - +
    8.BN.05Alforsite
    Ba
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Belovite-(Ce)
    NaSr
     
    3
    		(Ce,La)[(F,OH)|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Carbonate-rich Apatite-(CaF)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[(F,O)|(PO
     
    4
    		,CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Carbonate-rich Apatite-(CaOH)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[(OH,O)|(PO
     
    4
    		,CO
     
    3
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Apatite-(CaCl)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Clinomimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Fermorite
    (Ca,Sr)
     
    5
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		,PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		(OH)
    8.BN.05Apatite-(CaF)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[F|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Hedyphane
    Pb
     
    3
    		Ca
     
    2
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Apatite-(CaOH)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[OH|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Johnbaumite
    Ca
     
    5
    		[OH|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Mimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Morelandite
    (Ba,Ca,Pb)
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		,PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Apatite-(SrOH)
    (Sr,Ca)
     
    5
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		(OH,F)
    8.BN.05Svabite
    Ca
     
    5
    		[(F,Cl,OH)|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Turneaureite
    Ca
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		,PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Vanadinite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Belovite-(La)
    NaSr
     
    3
    		(La,Ce)[(F,OH)|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Deloneite-(Ce)
    NaCa
     
    2
    		SrCe(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		F
    8.BN.05Fluorcaphite
    (Ca,Sr,Ce,Na)
     
    5
    		[F|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Kuannersuite-(Ce)
    NaBa
     
    3
    		(Ce,Nd,La)[(F,Cl)|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Apatite-(CaOH)-M
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    		Ca
     
    2
    		[(OH,Cl)|(PO
     
    4
    		,SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05Phosphohedyphane
    Pb
     
    3
    		Ca
     
    2
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    8.BN.05IMA2008-009
    Sr
     
    5
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		F
    8.BN.05IMA2008-068
    Ca
     
    2
    		Pb
     
    3
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		F
    8.BN.10Arctite
    Na
     
    2
    		Ca
     
    4
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		F
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

    - +
    22.2.1Sampleite
    NaCaCu
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    22.2.2Lavendulan
    NaCaCu
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    22.2.3Apatite-(CaCl)
    Ca
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.4Turneaureite
    Ca
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		,PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.5Shubnikovite
    Ca
     
    2
    		Cu
     
    8
    		[Cl|OH|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    		] · 7H
     
    2
    		O
    22.2.6Richelsdorfite
    Ca
     
    2
    		Cu
     
    5
    		Sb[Cl|(OH)
     
    6
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 6H
     
    2
    		O
    22.2.7Alforsite
    Ba
     
    5
    		[Cl|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.8Morelandite
    (Ba,Ca,Pb)
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		,PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.10Mimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.11Clinomimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.12Sahlinite
    Pb
     
    14
    		[O
     
    9
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		|Cl
     
    4
    		]
    22.2.13Georgiadèsite
    Pb
     
    16
    		[(OH)
     
    6
    		|Cl
     
    14
    		|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		]
    22.2.14Vanadinite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.15Kombatite
    Pb
     
    14
    		[O
     
    9
    		|(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		|Cl
     
    4
    		]
    22.2.16Leningradite
    PbCu
     
    3
    		[Cl|VO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    22.2.17Hedyphane
    Pb
     
    3
    		Ca
     
    2
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]
    22.2.18Nealite
    Pb
     
    4
    		Fe
    2+
     
    		[Cl
     
    2
    		|AsO
     
    3
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 2H
     
    2
    		O
    Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):

    - +
    41.8.4.2Mimetite
    Pb
     
    5
    		[Cl|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    3
    		]

    Other Names for Pyromorphite

    Synonyms:
    Brown Lead OreBryoîdeLead phosphateMuscoîdePhosphate of Lead
    PolychromePseudocampyliteSexangulite
    Other Languages:
    Basque:Piromorfita
    Bosnian (Latin Script):Piromorfit
    Catalan:Piromorfita
    Dutch:Pyromorfiet
    French:Mine de Plomb verte
    Plomb phosphaté
    Galician:Piromorfita
    German:Pyromorphit
    Bleiapatit
    Braunbleierz
    Buntbleierz
    Grünbleierz
    Grün Bleyerz
    Phosphorblei
    Phosphorbleyspat
    Phosphorsaurehaltig
    Phosphorsaures Blei
    Polychrom
    Pseudokampylith
    Sexangulit
    Italian:Piromorfite
    Japanese:緑鉛鉱
    Latin:Minera plumbi viridis
    Polish:Piromorfit
    Portuguese:Piromorfita
    Russian:Пироморфит
    Spanish:Piromorfita
    Pseudocampylita
    Pyromorphita
    Sexangulita
    Swedish:Grön Blyspat
    Varieties:
    BlaubleierzCa-bearing PyromorphiteCollieiteGermanate-pyromorphiteNussièrite

    Other Information

    Fluorescence in UV light:May be Yellow to orange in SW and LW
    Electrical:Piezioelectric if biaxial.
    Other Information:Soluble in HNO3 and KOH. Slightly soluble in carbonated water.

    Forms pseudomorphs after Galena and Cerussite (common).

    Galena frequently occurs as more or less complete pseudomorphs after pyromorphite. Other pseudomorphs include Apatite after Pyromorphite and Plumbogummite encrusted on, and replacing, Pyromorphite.
    Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

    References for Pyromorphite

    Reference List:Wallerius, J.G (1748) Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket. Stockholm: 296 (as Grön Blyspat & Minera plumbi viridis).

    Wallerius, J.G. (1753) French edition of “Mineralogia, eller Mineralriket.” 2 volumes, Paris: 1: 536 (as Mine de Plomb verte).

    Schultze (1761) Dresden Mag.: 2: 70 (as Grünbleierz, Braunbleierz).

    Schultze (1765) Dresden Mag. 2: 467 (as Grünbleierz, Braunbleierz).

    Klaproth (1784) Crell’s Chemical Journal, London: 1: 394 (as Grün Bleyerz & Phosphorsaurehaltig).

    Hausmann, J.F.L. (1813) Handbuch der Mineralogie 3 volumes, Göttingen: 1089 &/or 1090 (as Polychrom & Pyromorphit).

    Haidinger, Wm. (1825) Treatise on Mineralogy, by F. Mohs; translation with considerable additions. 3 volumes, Edinburg: 2: 134.

    Breithaupt, A. (1832) Vollständige Characteristik etc., 2nd. Edition: 54 (as Polysphaerit).

    Igelström (1865) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 22: 229.

    Bischoff, G. (1866) Lehrbuch der chemischen und physikalischen Geologie, second edition, 3 volumes, 8vo, Bonn: 3: 742.

    Baumhauer (1876) Jb. Min.: 411.

    Bertrand (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 35.

    Jannettaz (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 39.

    Jannettaz and Michel (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 196.

    Haege (1888) Min. Siegerland: 36.

    Dana, E.S. (1892) System of Mineralogy, 6th. Edition, New York: 770.

    Klein (1902) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 748.

    Bowman (1903) Mineralogical Magazine: 13: 324.

    Mügge (1903) Jb. Min., Beil.-Bd.: 16: 350.

    Bowles (1909) American Journal of Science: 24: 40.

    Goldschmidt and Schroeder (1912) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 51: 362.

    Amadori (1916) 1st. Lombardo, Rend.: [2], 49, 137.

    Goldschmidt, V. (1922) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 7: 4.

    Hintze, Carl (1924) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4A]: 572, 590, 603.

    Carobbi (1926) Reale accademia delle scienze fisische e matematiche, Naples, Rend.: [3], 32, 54.

    Drescher (1926) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 257.

    Shannon, Earl V. (1926) “The Minerals of Idaho,” U.S. National Museum Bulletin 131: 418.

    Aminoff and Parsons (1927) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 49: 438.

    Zambonini and Ferrari (1928) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Atti.: [6], 7, 283.

    Lietz (1931) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 77: 437.

    Mehmel (1931) Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, Leipzig, Berlin: 15A: 223.

    Hendricks, Jefferson, and Mosley (1932) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 81: 352

    Schouten (1934) Economic Geology: 29: 611.

    Chirva (1935) Trav. inst. Lomonossov, ac. Sc. U.R.S.S., no.: 5: 86.

    Mélon (1943) Société géologique de Belgique, Liége, Annales: 66: B56.

    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 889-895.

    Baker, W. E. (1966): An X-ray diffraction study of synthetic members of the pyromorphite series. American Mineralogist 51, 1712-1721.

    Canadian Mineralogist (1989): 27: 189.

    Gaines, Richard V., H. Catherine, W. Skinner, Eugene E. Foord, Brian Mason, Abraham Rosenzweig (1997), Dana's New Mineralogy : The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana: 865.

    Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (1998): 213: 585-590.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 482.

    Internet Links for Pyromorphite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Pyromorphite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Pyromorphite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Pyromorphite

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