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Pyromorphite

Chemical Formula

Pb5(PO4)3Cl

Chemical Class

Phosphates

Properties

Pyromorphite presents prismatic habit, and it often presents round and barrel shapes. Sometimes, it shows hollow and cavernous crystals. Its hardness is 3.5 to 4, and its density ranges from 6.5 to 7.1. It tends to display green, brown, yellow, and more rarely, orange hues.

Origin

Guangxi Province, China.

Curiosities

Lead can be replaced by calcium, making the mineral increasingly less thick.

Use

It is a lead mineral, with no economic relevance, however, it is very appreciated by mineral collectors.

ABC of mining