PYROMORPHITE, South Mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia (miniature)

A complete different colour from the same mine (see 2722-55).

Pyromorphite is a mineral consisting of lead chlorophosphate, represented by the formula Pb5(PO4)3Cl, and can be found in sufficient quantities to be extracted as a lead ore. It typically forms crystals that exhibit a hexagonal prism shape, often capped with basal planes and occasionally featuring narrow hexagonal pyramid faces. Barrel-shaped crystals are also relatively common, along with globular and reniform aggregates. As a member of the apatite mineral group, pyromorphite closely resembles mimetite (Pb5(AsO4)3Cl) and vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl) in both physical and chemical properties, making it challenging to differentiate among them without chemical analysis.