TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Piromorfita

Piromorfita is a mineral with formula Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Resuperferolítica, Santa Eufemia, Córdoba, Andalucía, España.

Piromorfita from Resuperferolítica, Santa Eufemia, Córdoba, Andalucía, España — Terrium

Description

Very dense group of hexagonal crystals in intense yellow with excellent luster in an open cavity.

About Piromorfita

Lead chlorophosphate, isomorphous with vanadinite (V) chlorovanadate and mimetite (As) chloroarsenate. All belong to the chlorapatite group, which crystallizes in hexagonal prisms.

About the locality

In April 1995, an amateur find at the Resuperferolítica concession (Santa Eufemia) brought to light spectacular honey- and brown-toned pyromorphites. Extracted over just a few weeks and typically labeled "04/1995," these specimens rapidly spread throughout the mineral community, establishing this brief event as the start of the modern Spanish classic. Inactive now.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0354
Composition
Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Name
Piromorfita
Group
Fosfatos
Category
Cupidium
Mine
Resuperferolítica
District / Municipality
Santa Eufemia
Province
Córdoba
Region
Andalucía
Country
España
Size (cm)
6 x 4.5 x 4
Weight
95.6 g
Ex-collection
Juan Carlos Viñolo
Etymology
From the Greek «pyr» and «morphé», “fire” and “form”, referring to the appearance it takes on heating.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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