MINERAL GEM WORLD

PYROMORPHITE SPECIMEN

This is a natural untreated specimen from CZECH REPUBLIC

Weight 20.90 cts app

Size 17 x 11 x 9 mm app

Pyromorphite is a mineral species composed of lead chlorophosphate: Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl, sometimes occurring in sufficient abundance to be mined as an ore of lead. Crystals are common, and have the form of a hexagonal prism terminated by thebasal planes, sometimes combined with narrow faces of a hexagonal pyramid. Crystals with a barrel-like curvature are not uncommon. Globular and reniform masses are also found. It is part of a series with two other minerals: mimetite(Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl) and vanadinite (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl), the resemblance in external characters is so close that, as a rule, it is only possible to distinguish between them by chemical tests.

They were formerly confused under the names green lead ore and brown lead ore (German: Grünbleierz and Braunbleierz) it was named pyromorphite by J. F. L. Hausmann in 1813. The name is derived from the Greek for pyr (fire) and morfe (form) due to its crystallization behavior after being melted.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION:  Pyromorphite is collected for its unusual chemistry, pleasing lime-green color, and hexagonal crystal shapes that often have distinctive, cavernous or pitted terminations.