Mendipite Locality: Mendip Hills , Somerset , England , UK ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 4.3 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm. A superb, rich specimen of mendipite in a seam of ore, from this important classic locale. Very rare material, and generally considered to be the finest of species. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mendipite
A rare lead oxychloride named for the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Mendipite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula Pb₃O₂Cl₂.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnma).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 7.24; White streak; Pearly to silky on cleavages; resinous to adamantine on fractures luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Mdi, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1824.
Found in nodules in manganese oxide ores (Somerset, England).
It is found associated with Hydrocerussite, cerussite, malachite, pyromorphite, calcite, chloroxiphite, diaboleite, parkinsonite (Somerset, England).
The name refers to the occurrence in the Mendip [Myne-deepes, Old English] Hills, England.