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Macphersonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Macphersonite
Harry G. Macpherson
Formula:
Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2
Colour:
Colorless, white, very pale amber
Lustre:
Adamantine, Resinous
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.50 - 6.55
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by A. Livingstone and H. Sarp in 1984 in honor of Harry Gordon Macpherson (1925 – 2001), Keeper of Minerals, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Co-Type Localities:
Polymorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2513
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2513:9
IMA Classification of Macphersonite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+4(S6+O4)(CO3)2(OH)2
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1984
Classification of Macphersonite
5.BF.40
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
F : With (Cl), SO4, PO4, TeO3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
F : With (Cl), SO4, PO4, TeO3
17.1.4.1
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
17 : COMPOUND CARBONATES
1 : Miscellaneous
12.2.12
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mps | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Macphersonite
Adamantine, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white, very pale amber
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}
{010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.50 - 6.55 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.67(3) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Data from two localities; calculated from empirical formulas
Optical Data of Macphersonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.87 nβ = 2 nγ = 2.01
2V:
Measured: 35° to 36°, Calculated: 28°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.140
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v
Chemistry of Macphersonite
Mindat Formula:
Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Macphersonite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.383(2) Å, b = 23.050(5) Å, c = 9.242(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.45 : 1 : 0.401
Unit Cell V:
2211.87 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Pseudo-hexagonal, tabular to micaceous crystals.
Twinning:
Common. Lamellar and contact, composition plane {102}.
Comment:
Space Group: P cab
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014534 | Macphersonite | Steele I M, Pluth J J, Livingstone A (1998) Crystal structure of macphersonite (Pb4SO4(CO3)2(OH)2): comparison with leadhillite Mineralogical Magazine 62 451-459 |  | 1998 | Leadhills-Wanlockhead orefield, Scotland | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.234 Å | (100) |
| 2.654 Å | (90) |
| 3.274 Å | (50) |
| 2.598 Å | (30) |
| 2.310 Å | (30) |
| 2.182 Å | (30) |
| 2.033 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Argentolle Mine, Saint-Prix, France. The data are from the type description. The pattern for the Leadhills sample is somewhat different.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Macphersonite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
A composite crystal (2 x 3 x 7 mm) displaying interpenetrant growth (Leadhills). Abundant pseudo hexagonal, tabular to micaceous crystals, 2-5 mm (Argentolle Mine).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland, 721.34.
Museum of Natural History, Geneva, Switzerland, 435/80.
Museum of Natural History, Geneva, Switzerland, 435/80.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of lead deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Macphersonite
Other Language Names for Macphersonite
Dutch:Macphersoniet
German:Macphersonit
Simplified Chinese:直硫碳铅石
Spanish:Macphersonita
Traditional Chinese:直硫碳鉛石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BF.05 | Northupite | Na3Mg(CO3)2Cl |
| 5.BF.05 | Manganotychite | Na6Mn2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.05 | Tychite | Na6Mg2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.05 | Ferrotychite | Na6(Fe,Mn,Mg)2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Sidorenkite | Na3Mn2+(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Crawfordite | Na3Sr(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Bonshtedtite | Na3Fe2+(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Bradleyite | Na3Mg(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.15 | Daqingshanite-(Ce) | (Sr,Ca,Ba)3(Ce,La)(CO3)3-x(PO4)(OH,F)2x |
| 5.BF.20 | Reederite-(Y) | (Na,Mn)15Y2(CO3)9(FSO3)Cl |
| 5.BF.25 | Mineevite-(Y) | Na25Ba(Y,Gd,Dy)2(CO3)11(HCO3)4(SO4)2F2Cl |
| 5.BF.30 | Brianyoungite | Zn3(CO3,SO4)(OH)4 |
| 5.BF.35 | Philolithite | Pb12Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)4(CO3)4(SO4)O6(OH)12Cl4 |
| 5.BF.40 | Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 5.BF.40 | Susannite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 5.BF.45 | Peatite-(Y) | Li4Na12Y12(PO4)12(CO3)4(F,OH)8 |
| 5.BF.50 | Ramikite-(Y) | Li4(Na,Ca)12Y6Zr6(PO4)12(CO3)4O4[(OH),F]4 |
Fluorescence of Macphersonite
May exhibit a bright yellow fluorescence under SW UV and LW UV.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in dilute hydrochloric and nitric acids with effervescence. In nitric acid, a curdy, white precipitate of PbSO4 is formed.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Macphersonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2513.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Macphersonite
Reference List:
Livingstone, A., Sarp, H. (1984) Macphersonite, a new mineral from Leadhills, Scotland, and Saint-Prix, France— a polymorph of leadhillite and susannite. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (347) 277-282 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.347.14
Dunn, Pete J., Fleischer, Michael, Langley, Richard H., Shigley, James E., Zilczer, Janet A. (1985) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 70 (7-8) 871-881
Localities for Macphersonite
Showing 13 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
France (TL) | |
| Livingstone et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Gol (2014) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Stieglitz et al. (1989) |
Greece | |
| 50. +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Maida (2002) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
UK | |
| Neall et al. (2009) |
| Cooper et al. (1988) +3 other references |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Scottish J. Geol. 23 (1987) |
| Livingstone et al. (1984) | |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
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Pinn'e Perda Stope, Tiny-Arenas Mine, Fluminimaggiore, South Sardinia Province, Sardinia, Italy