Macphersonite
1 in the gallery
Macphersonite is a lead carbonate sulfate hydroxide mineral. It forms in secondary environments where lead-bearing rocks interact with carbonate and sulfate-rich fluids, typically presenting as tabular to prismatic crystals with a pale to colorless to yellowish or brownish hue and a vitreous to submetallic luster. Crystals can occur in aggregates or crusts, and habit often reflects space for growth, yielding plate-like or elongated forms that catch the light along well-formed faces. Notable specimens have been reported from Namibia and the United Kingdom, where oxidized zones and historic lead ore deposits have provided stable environments for macphersonite to crystallize.
- Formula
- Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
- Classification notes
- Lead carbonate sulfate hydroxide mineral
Where Macphersonite is found
About Macphersonite
Collectors prize macphersonite for its rarity and the combination of lead-rich chemistry with distinctive crystal forms. The mineral’s relative scarcity means fine, undamaged crystals or well-prepared aggregates are sought after by specialists, particularly those focusing on secondary lead minerals and ore-deposit mineralogy. As a piece of a curated paragenesis, macphersonite furthers the story of how primary sulfide and carbonate systems evolve under oxidizing conditions, making well-documented occurrences from Namibia and the UK especially desirable for display and study.