Small platy crystals of the rare mineral plumboferrite from a locality in Germany (Genna Zinc Smelter, Letmathe, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany). Ex. Erich Laskowski collection (USA). — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Plumboferrite
Plumboferrite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Pb[Fe³⁺₁₀.₆₇Mn²⁺₀.₃₃Pb]O₁₈.₃₃.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3/mmc). It is a member of the Magnetoplumbite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6.5; specific gravity 6.07; Nearly black streak; Submetallic luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Pfr, IMA status: approved, named in 1881.
Found in metamorphosed lead-bearing Fe–Mn orebodies.
It is found associated with Hematite, jacobsite, magnesioferrite, lindqvistite, hedyphane, svabite, barite, hematophanite, copper, cuprite, calcite, andradite, phlogopite (Jakobsberg.
The name comes from the Latin for lead, PLUMBum, and FERROus iron in its composition.