Template:POTD/2024-11-09
Pyromorphite is a mineral species composed of lead chlorophosphate: Pb5(PO4)3Cl, sometimes occurring in sufficient abundance to be mined as an ore of lead. It was first distinguished chemically by M. H. Klaproth in 1784 and it was named pyromorphite by J. F. L. Hausmann in 1813. It is usually green, yellow or brown in color, with a resinous luster. Crystals are common and have the form of a hexagonal prism terminated by the basal planes, sometimes combined with narrow faces of a hexagonal pyramid. Other forms include crystals with a barrel-like curvature and globular or reniform masses. Pyromorphite is part of the apatite group of minerals and bears a close resemblance physically and chemically with two other minerals: mimetite and vanadinite. This focus stacked photograph, consisting of 26 images, shows a sample of pyromorphite extracted from the Resuperferolitica Mine in Santa Eufemia, Córdoba, Spain.Photograph credit: David Ifar