Guangxi characteristic mineral crystal - pyromorphite

introduction

In the international mineral crystal market, almost all pyromorphite specimens from China are produced in Guangxi. Today, we will get to know a standout pyromorphite specimen, which is a treasure of the Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum with its bright colors, intact crystals, rich layers and graceful posture.

Pyromorphite

Specifications: 38cm×35cm×20cm

Produced in Gongcheng, Guangxi, collected in Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum

What is pyromorphite

Pyromorphite

Photo courtesy of Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum

Pyrochlore, as its name suggests, is composed mainly of phosphorus, chlorine and lead. Its chemical formula is Pb5(PO4)3Cl. It is a hexagonal mineral, and its crystals are often hexagonal columns, sometimes small barrels or needles; its aggregates are often clusters, granules, spheres and kidneys. It has a variety of colors, including various shades of green, yellow, brown or gray, white, etc. It is bright red or orange-red when it contains a small amount of Cr2O3. The streak is white with yellow, and the luster ranges from resin to diamond. The hardness is 3.5~4.0, and the specific gravity is 6.5~7.1.

Where is pyrochloreite produced?

Pyromorphite

Specifications: 20cm×20cm×15cm

Produced in Gongcheng, Guangxi, collected in Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum

Pyrochloro lead ore is mainly produced in the oxidation zone of lead-zinc deposits. It is the product of the action of phosphoric acid contained in surface water and lead minerals. It is often associated with cerussite, lead alum, smithsonite, hemimorphite, limonite, etc. Pyrochloro lead ore in my country is mainly produced from the Daoping lead-zinc deposit in Gongcheng, Guangxi, and a small amount is also produced in Guangdong. There are many deposits of pyrochloro lead ore in the world, but the most famous ones are the Bunker Hill deposit in the United States, the Lefarge deposit in France and the Bad-Emes deposit in Germany.

What is the use of pyrochloreite?

Pyromorphite

Specifications: 10cm×9cm×3.5cm (left), 11cm×13cm×5cm (right)

Produced in Gongcheng, Guangxi, collected in Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum

Pyromorphite can be used to extract metallic lead and can be used as a sign for finding lead deposits in geological prospecting. Pyromorphite, which is brightly colored, well-shaped and highly ornamental, is usually collected as a mineral specimen.

References

1. Pan Zhaolu. Crystallography and Mineralogy (Volume 2). Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 1994, 224-226.

2. Berthold Ottens et al. Mineral World. Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 2014, 110-112.

3. Berthold Ottens. China's minerals and their origins. Beijing: Geological Publishing House, 2013, 161-167.

END

Author: Guangxi Natural Resources Archives Museum

Planning: Zhou Yan, Zhou Xiangke

Typesetting: Wu Zhaohui