Penfieldite
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Formula:
Pb2Cl3(OH)
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellowish or bluish tints
Lustre:
Adamantine, Greasy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
5.82 - 6.61
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
For US mineralogist, Samuel Lewis Penfield (Catskill, New York, January 16, 1856 - August 12, 1906, at South Woodstock, Connecticut), Yale University.
Soluble in water, leaving a yellowish white lead oxychloride residue.
Classification of Penfieldite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
3/D.10-70
3.DC.15
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
3 : HALIDES
D : Oxyhalides, hydroxyhalides and related double halides
C : With Pb (As,Sb,Bi), without Cu
10.4.1.1
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
10 : OXYHALIDES AND HYDROXYHALIDES
4 : A2(O,OH)Xq
8.8.9
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
8 : Halides of Pb
Pronounciation of Penfieldite
Pronounciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon & Katya Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Penfieldite
Adamantine, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellowish or bluish tints
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {0001}.
On {0001}.
Density:
5.82 - 6.61 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.00 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Penfieldite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 2.130() nε = 2.210(1)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.080

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Chemical Properties of Penfieldite
Formula:
Pb2Cl3(OH)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Penfieldite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Trigonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.28 Å, c = 48.65 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.313
Unit Cell V:
5,360.83 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals usually prismatic [0001] with {1010} or steeply pyramidal; also tabular {0001}. Crystals tiny and commonly grouped in parallel position.
Twinning:
1. Twin axis [2130] with (0001) as composition face. Twinned crystals having [0001] in common but turned 21°47' to each other. 2. Twin plane {4154} with the twinned crystals having c and c' almost at right angles.
Comment:
Strongly pronounced subcell: a = 11.393, c = 4.024 A (Merlino et al., 1995)
Crystallographic forms of Penfieldite
Crystal Atlas:
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X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Type Occurrence of Penfieldite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Seawater modified slag deposits
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Penfieldite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Boleite | 9 photos of Penfieldite associated with Boleite on mindat.org. |
Pseudoboleite | 3 photos of Penfieldite associated with Pseudoboleite on mindat.org. |
Cotunnite | 2 photos of Penfieldite associated with Cotunnite on mindat.org. |
Laurionite | 1 photo of Penfieldite associated with Laurionite on mindat.org. |
Hydrocerussite | 1 photo of Penfieldite associated with Hydrocerussite on mindat.org. |
Cuprite | 1 photo of Penfieldite associated with Cuprite on mindat.org. |
Diaboleite | 1 photo of Penfieldite associated with Diaboleite on mindat.org. |
Unnamed (Orthorhombic dimorph of Barstowite) | 1 photo of Penfieldite associated with Unnamed (Orthorhombic dimorph of Barstowite) on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
3.DC.05 | Laurionite | PbCl(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
3.DC.05 | Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
3.DC.10 | Fiedlerite | Pb3FCl4(OH) · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
3.DC.20 | Laurelite | Pb7F12Cl2 | Hex. 6 : P6 |
3.DC.25 | Bismoclite | (BiO)Cl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
3.DC.25 | Daubréeite | (BiO)(OH,Cl) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
3.DC.25 | Matlockite | PbFCl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
3.DC.25 | Rorisite | CaFCl | Tet. |
3.DC.25 | Zavaritskite | (BiO)F | Tet. |
3.DC.25 | Zhangpeishanite | BaFCl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
3.DC.30 | Nadorite | PbSbClO2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
3.DC.30 | Perite | PbBiClO2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
3.DC.35 | Aravaipaite | Pb3AlF9 · H2O | Tric. |
3.DC.37 | Calcioaravaipaite | PbCa2AlF9 | Tric. 1 |
3.DC.40 | Thorikosite | Pb3Cl2(OH)(SbO3,AsO3) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
3.DC.45 | Mereheadite | Pb47Cl25(OH)13O24(CO3)(BO3)2 | Mon. m |
3.DC.50 | Blixite | Pb2(O,OH)2Cl | Orth. |
3.DC.55 | Pinalite | Pb3WO5Cl2 | Orth. |
3.DC.60 | Symesite | Pb10(SO4)O7Cl4 · H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
3.DC.65 | Ecdemite | Pb6Cl4(As2O7) | Tet. |
3.DC.65 | Heliophyllite | Pb6Cl4(As2O7) | Orth. |
3.DC.70 | Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
3.DC.75 | Damaraite | Pb3Cl(OH)O2 | Orth. mm2 : Pmc21 |
3.DC.80 | Onoratoite | Sb8Cl2O11 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
3.DC.85 | Cotunnite | PbCl2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
3.DC.90 | Pseudocotunnite | K2PbCl4 | Orth. |
3.DC.95 | Barstowite | Pb4Cl6(CO3) · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
8.8.1 | Abhurite | Sn21Cl16(OH)14O6 | Trig. |
8.8.2 | Matlockite | PbFCl | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
8.8.3 | Laurelite | Pb7F12Cl2 | Hex. 6 : P6 |
8.8.4 | Cotunnite | PbCl2 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
8.8.5 | Mendipite | Pb3Cl2O2 | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21 |
8.8.6 | Damaraite | Pb3Cl(OH)O2 | Orth. mm2 : Pmc21 |
8.8.7 | Laurionite | PbCl(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
8.8.8 | Paralaurionite | PbCl(OH) | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
8.8.10 | Fiedlerite | Pb3FCl4(OH) · H2O | Mon. 2/m |
8.8.11 | Blixite | Pb2(O,OH)2Cl | Orth. |
8.8.12 | Pseudocotunnite | K2PbCl4 | Orth. |
8.8.13 | Diaboleite | Pb2CuCl2(OH)4 | Tet. 4mm : P4mm |
8.8.14 | Pseudoboleite | Pb31Cu24Cl62(OH)48 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
8.8.15 | Chloroxiphite | Pb3CuO2Cl2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
8.8.17 | Bideauxite | Pb2AgCl3(F,OH)2 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m |
8.8.18 | Boleite | KPb26Ag9Cu24(OH)48Cl62 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Pm3m |
8.8.19 | Aravaipaite | Pb3AlF9 · H2O | Tric. |
8.8.20 | Yedlinite | Pb6Cr3+Cl6(O,OH,H2O)8 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
8.8.21 | Kolarite | PbTeCl2 | Orth. |
8.8.22 | Hematophanite | Pb4Fe3O8(OH,Cl) | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in dilute HNO3. Decomposed by water, rendering a yellow-white precipitate of lead oxychloride.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Penfieldite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Genth, F.A. (1892) On penfieldite, a new species. American Journal of Science 144, 260-261.
Penfield (1894) American Journal of Science: 48: 114.
Goldschmidt (1897) 260.
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 118.
American Mineralogist (1941) 26: 293.
Gordon (1941) Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, Not. Nat., no. 69.
Palache, C., Berman, H., and Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 66-67.
Cesbron, F. and Schubnel, H.J. (1968) Penfieldite. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie, 91, 407-408 (in French).
Merlino, S., Pasero, M., Perchiazzi, N., and Gianfagna, A. (1995) X-ray and electron diffraction study of penfieldite: average structure and multiple cells. Mineralogical Magazine, vol. 59, n° 395, 341-347.
Internet Links for Penfieldite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3146.html
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Localities for Penfieldite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Afghanistan | |
| Merkel, S., Bräutigam, B., Klein, S., & Hauptmann, A. (2013). The Analysis of Slag from the Panjhır Mining Region, Afghanistan: An Investigation of (Medieval) Silver Production Technology. Archäologische Mitteilungen, 45, 231-250. |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch, U., Brandstätter, F., Schreiber, F., Fink, R. & Auer, C. (2013): Die Mineralogie der weltweit einzigartigen Schlacken von Waitschach, Kärnten. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien, Serie A, 115, 19-87 (in German). |
Chile | |
| 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: 67. |
| Brugger J, Meisser N, Ansermat S, Krivovichev S V, Kahlenberg V, Belton D, Ryan C G (2012) Leucostaurite, Pb2[B5O9]Cl·0.5H2O, from the Atacama Desert: The first Pb-dominant member of the hilgardite group, and micro-determination of boron minerals by PIGE. American Mineralogist 97, 1206-1212 |
Freundlich, B. F., Imel, A., Imel, L., Sperber, D., Sperber, P., Steele-Sperber, L., ... & McGrath, B. 39th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium.; maurizio dini collection - analysed material | |
Czech Republic | |
| C.Auer (2017) |
Greece | |
| Kolitsch, U., Rieck, B., Brandstätter, F., Schreiber, F., Fabritz, K. H., Blaß, G. & Gröbner, J. (2014): Neufunde aus dem altem Bergbau und den Schlacken von Lavrion (I). Mineralien-Welt 25 (1), 60-75 (in German). [identification announced; no description given yet] |
Smith, G. F. H. (1899): On some lead minerals from Laurium, namely, laurionite, phosgenite, fiedlerite, and (new species) paralaurionite. Mineralogical Magazine, 12, 102-110.; American Mineralogist (1941): 26: 293; 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: 67; Cesbron, F. & Schubnel, H. J. (1968): Penfieldite. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie, 91, 407-408 (in French).; Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags; Grolig, H. & Grolig, E. (1978): Lavrion in Attika. Lapis, 3 (5), 16-25; 40 (in German). | |
| Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet, and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals of the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
| Fritz Schreiber Collection |
Laurion The minerals in the ancient slags,page 115 | |
Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian, (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands | |
| Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
| Lacroix, A. & De Schulten, A. (1908): Note sur des minéraux plombifères des scories athéniennes du Laurion. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie, 31, 79-90 (in French).; Gelaude, Piet, van Kalmthout, Piet, and Rewitzer, Christian (1996) Laurion: The Minerals in the Ancient Slags, Janssen Print, Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
Italy | |
| Palombi, S., Bellatreccia, F. & Pucci, R. (2009): Le scorie metallurgiche di Tor Caldara, Anzio - RM. Il Cercapietre, no. 1-2, 44-56. [http://www.gminromano.it/Cercapietre/rivista09/art03.pdf] |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 2 (Avril/Juin), 175-188. |
| http://www.comune.pisa.it/apsn/Articoli/Scorie/Capattoli.htm |
| Franzini, M., Perchiazzi, N. (1992): I minerali delle scorie ferrifere etrusche di Baratti (Livorno). Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Memorie, Serie A, 99, 43-77; Franzini, M., Perchiazzi, N., Bartoli, M.L., Chiappino, L. (1992): Baratti (LI): una nuova località mineralogica italiana analoga al Laurion. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 15, 2 (2-1992), 67-75 [2a parte]; Cerutti, G., Preite, D. (1995): Mineralien der etruskischen Schlacken von Baratti, Toskana. Lapis, 20, 4, 13-18 and 50. |
South Africa | |
| Barkov, A. Y., Martin, R. F., Kaukonen, R. J., & Alapieti, T. T. (2001). The occurrence of Pb–Cl–(OH) and Pt–Sn–S compounds in the Merensky reef, Bushveld layered complex, South Africa. The Canadian Mineralogist, 39(5), 1397-1403. |
Tunisia | |
| Kutzke, H., Barbier, B., Becker, P. & Eggert, G. (1997): Barstowite as a corrosion product on a lead object from the Mahdia shipwreck. Studies in Conservation 42, 176-180. |
UK | |
| BMS Newsletter 79, March 2010 (http://britishmicromountsociety.homestead.com/Gannell-Smelter.html) |
USA | |
| R&M 70:4 pp 242-263 |
Vietnam | Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) |
Margarita Mine, Caracoles, Sierra Gorda District, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile