Rich coverage of blue radial clusters of plumbophyllite on matrix. Specimen size 3 x 2 cm. From: Blue Bell Mine, Zzyzx, Soda Mountains, Silver Lake Mining District, San Bernardino Co., California, USA. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Plumbophyllite
Plumbophyllite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Pb₂Si₄O₁₀·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbcn).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5; specific gravity 3.96; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Pbp, IMA status: approved, named in 2008.
A tertiary mineral formed from cerussite in narrow veins in a highly siliceous hornfels in a fractured and chaotic region of limestone showing irregular skarn formation.
It is found associated with Cerussite, chrysocolla, fluorite, goethite, gypsum, mimetite, opal, plumbotsumite, quartz, sepiolite, wulfenite.
Plumbo for its essential lead content and phyllite for its silicate sheet structure.