| Leadhillite | |
|---|---|
Thin crystals of transparent leadhillite, inside a vug of galena which seems to be partially altered to cerussite. From the type locality, Leadhills, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Size: 5.3 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm. |
|
| General | |
| Category | Carbonate minerals |
| Chemical formula | Pb4SO4(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| Strunz classification | 05.BF.40 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colourless to white, grey, yellowish, pale green to blue |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Luster | Adamantine, resinous, pearly |
Leadhillite is a lead sulfate carbonate hydroxide mineral, often associated with anglesite. It has the formula Pb4SO4(CO3)2(OH)2. Leadhillite crystallizes in the monoclinic system, but forms pseudo-hexagonal forms due to crystal twinning. It forms transparent to translucent variably colored adamantine crystals. It is quite soft with a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and a relatively high specific gravity of 6.26 to 6.55.
It was discovered in 1832 in the Susannah Mine, Leadhills in the county of Lanark, Scotland.