Pyromorphite Gem Guide and Properties Chart

Pyromorphite is a member of the apatite family of minerals. Faceted stones are very rare and its colors are usually brown, green, orange, yellow, colorless, gray and white. Pyromorphite was named in 1813 from the Greek words for "fire" and "form" because, after being melted, the mineral will take on a crystalline shape upon cooling.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Pyromorphite

Species

Pyromorphite

Transparency

Transparent - Translucent

Dispersion

Strength: Strong Fire

Refractive Index

Over The Limit 2.042-2.059

Birefringence

0.01

Optic Character

Uniaxial

Optic Sign

Negative

Polariscope Reaction

Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)

Pleochroism

Unobservable

Hardness

3.5-4

Streak

White

Specific Gravity

6.500-7.100

Toughness

Poor

Luster

Vitreous, SubAdamantine, Resinous

Fracture

Subconchoidal, uneven

Cleavage

Poor, in one direction

Chemical Name

lead chlorophosphate

Chemical Formula

Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl

Crystal System

Hexagonal

Chemistry Classification

Phosphate

Pyromorphite Colors

Brown
Colorless
Gray
Green
Orange
White
Yellow

Countries of Origin

Angola; Kazakhstan; Portugal; Greece; Austria; Korea (the Republic of); Morocco; Unknown; Luxembourg; Brazil; Slovenia; Chile; Ecuador; Argentina; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Hungary; Isle of Man; Japan; Zambia; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; New Zealand; Canada; Turkey; Belgium; Senegal; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Peru; Germany; Yemen; Afghanistan; Burundi; Russian Federation; Czechia; United States of America; Madagascar; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Sweden; Malawi; China; Ireland; Poland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Nigeria; Tunisia; Romania; Switzerland; Spain; Norway; Mexico; Zimbabwe; Australia