Class : Oxides and hydroxides
    Subclass : Oxides
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : PbO
    Rarity : Uncommon to fairly common

Massicot is a secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of primary lead minerals, notably galena. It is the dimorph of litharge. Massicot is an uncommon mineral due to its very specific formation conditions, which, like minium, require both an alkaline environment and a dry, desert to semi-desert climate. It is also found in certain industrial slags. Its name comes from the Arabic and then the Spanish mazacote meaning lead oxide. It most often occurs in masses and earthy coatings, rarely in prismatic crystals (never larger than a millimeter) with a dull to oily luster, yellow to reddish-yellow in color. With very rare exceptions, the massicot never constitutes economically exploitable concentrations.

Main photo : Massicot from Argentena Mine, Nevada, USA © Eugene & Sharon Cisneros

Twins are known on artificial crystals.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.