Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Pyromorphite

Big Photo

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

Show Pyromorphite Photos (2025)
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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3320.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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)

About Crystal Atlas

You may need to scroll this box using your mouse to view the full instructions.

The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

: default positions
t/T: decrease/increase transparency x/X: next/previous texture
b/B: next/previous background w: toggle wireframe
s: toggle sticks m: toggle miller indices
k: toggle crystallographic axes =/-: zoom in/out
r: stop/start rotation 1/2/3

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)
Member of Group:
Apatite Supergroup:
A
 
5
(XO
 
4
)
 
3
Z
 
q
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

Search Engines:
  • Look for Pyromorphite on Google
  • Look for Pyromorphite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Pyromorphite on Webmineral
  • Look for Pyromorphite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Pyromorphite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Pyromorphite on Mineralien Atlas
  • 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)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • Find Pyromorphite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Pyromorphite

    Show Locality List (1281 Items)
    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.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. Current server date and time: 4th Nov 2009 03:30:16