Laurionite - Encyclopedia
Class : Halides
Subclass : Oxychlorides
Crystal system : Orthorhombic
Chemistry : PbCl(OH)
Rarity : Very rare
Laurionite is a lead chloride produced by the action of salt water on lead-bearing materials. It is the dimorph of paralaurionite. It is found in the oxidation zone of lead deposits, but the most beautiful crystals come from cavities of ancient lead slag, exposed to sea spray : the Lavrion mines (Greece) from which it takes its name. Laurionite forms small tabular prismatic crystals with pyramidal endings, colorless to white, rarely slightly brownish, associated with other secondary lead minerals.
Main photo : Laurionite from Lavrion, Greece © Marco Bonifazi
Laurionite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 3.5 to 4
Density : 6.24
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 2.077 to 2.116
Birefringence : 0.081
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : White
Solubility : Nitric acid
Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None