Piromorfita
Piromorfita is a mineral with formula Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina San Andrés, Espiel, Córdoba, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Small yellowish-green pyromorphite crystals, well formed, with vitreous lustre, coating a limonitic matrix. Fine white laminae of cerussite are discernible between them. The green contrasts with the ochre matrix even to the naked eye.
History of this specimen
This is from the celebrated "El Tarta" pocket (geode) in the San Andrés mine.
About Piromorfita
Pyromorphite is a lead phosphate of the mimetite–vanadinite group, common in the oxidised zones of lead deposits. Specimens from the San Andrés mine are known for their intense green colour and for having produced some of the best crystals of the species in Spain.
About the locality
The San Andrés mine, at Espiel (Córdoba), is one of the emblematic workings of the Sierra Albarrana district. Between the 1980s and 1990s its galleries yielded exceptional pyromorphite specimens, especially from the geode known as "El Tarta".
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0478
- Internal reference
- T0086
- Composition
- Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl
- Name
- Piromorfita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Matrix
- Matriz limonítica
- Associations
- Cerusita en hábito laminar
- Mine
- Mina San Andrés
- District / Municipality
- Espiel
- Province
- Córdoba
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.4
- Weight
- 12 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Carlos Pareja
- Etymology
- From the Greek "pyros" (fire) and "morphé" (form), referring to its change of colour when heated.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España