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Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite is phosphate (apatite supergroup, lead), Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl. In the hand, it rates 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, and it runs grass green and yellow-green. Grass-green hexagonal barrels, often hollow-ended, in sparkling clusters of absurd weight, lead's prettiest green disguise.
The geology.
Pyromorphite carries the formula Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl. It belongs to the hexagonal system. The trade files it under phosphate (apatite supergroup, lead).
It sits at 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads resinous to adamantine. Light behaviour is translucent. Specific gravity runs 6.5 to 7.1. The streak is white to pale yellow. It breaks with no cleavage; uneven fracture; brittle.
Grass-green hexagonal barrels, often hollow-ended, in sparkling clusters of absurd weight, lead's prettiest green disguise.
Common cuts are hexagonal barrel clusters, hollow prisms or botryoidal crusts.
The origins.
Oxidized lead deposits: Daoping mine (China, modern classics), Les Farges (France), Bunker Hill (Idaho, USA), Germany.
On value, the database notes: collector mineral; Daoping green clusters are modern classics.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, pyromorphite has little established lore; modern writers occasionally cast it as a 'fresh start' stone.
Included for completeness. Tradition is worth knowing about, and it is worth keeping separate from the mineralogy.
Spotting the real thing.
Grass-green hexagonal barrels, often hollow-ended, in sparkling clusters of absurd weight, lead's prettiest green disguise.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Mimetite | The arsenate twin runs yellower, chemistry overlaps and labs make the final call |
| Apatite | Same crystal family but feather-light by comparison (SG 3.2 vs 7) |
| Vanadinite | Vanadinite is fire-red-orange, same barrel architecture |
At-home tests.
These checks cost nothing. Daylight, a 10x loupe and a little patience are the whole kit for pyromorphite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By weight | Extreme heft (SG ~7) |
| By eye | Barrel-shaped hexagonal crystals, often hollow |
| Scratch check | Knife scratches it |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with no cleavage; uneven fracture; brittle, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
Lead mineral, display specimen: wash hands after handling, never grind, keep from children.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl. Crystal system: Hexagonal. Specific gravity: 6.5 to 7.1. Streak: White to pale yellow. Cleavage and fracture: No cleavage; uneven fracture; brittle.
How it reaches the market
Oxidized lead deposits: Daoping mine (China, modern classics), Les Farges (France), Bunker Hill (Idaho, USA), Germany.
What it gets confused with
Mimetite: The arsenate twin runs yellower, chemistry overlaps and labs make the final call. Apatite: Same crystal family but feather-light by comparison (SG 3.2 vs 7). Vanadinite: Vanadinite is fire-red-orange, same barrel architecture.
What it is worth
Collector mineral; Daoping green clusters are modern classics.
One more thing
Its name means 'fire form', melted samples solidify into a crystalline globule, a party trick early mineralogists loved.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock pyromorphite. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
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