Massicot
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Massicot
Formula:
PbO
Colour:
Sulphur- to orpiment-yellow, sometimes with a reddish tint; grey-yellow. Nearly colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
9.56
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Derived from early Arabic, through Spanish "mazacote" and the French name for oxide of lead.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Massicot.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2587
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2587:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
0c09937a-6320-4a82-bd4c-60933d256a28
IMA Classification of Massicot
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Massicot
4.AC.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
C : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with large cations (+- smaller ones)
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
C : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with large cations (+- smaller ones)
4.2.7.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
7.11.20
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
11 : Oxides of Sn and Pb
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
11 : Oxides of Sn and Pb
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Msi | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Massicot
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Massicot
Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Sulphur- to orpiment-yellow, sometimes with a reddish tint; grey-yellow. Nearly colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
9.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 9.64 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Massicot
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.510 nβ = 2.610 nγ = 2.710
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.200
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
Strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Y = light sulfur-yellow
Z = deep yellow
Z = deep yellow
Chemistry of Massicot
Mindat Formula:
PbO
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Massicot
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.4903(1) Å, b = 5.892 Å, c = 4.752 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.932 : 1 : 0.807
Unit Cell V:
153.72 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive, earthy to scaly. Artificial crystals are tabular {100}.
Twinning:
Observed on artificial crystals.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010011 | Massicot | Hill R J (1985) Refinement of the structure of orthorhombic PbO (massicot) by Rietveld analysis of neutron powder diffraction data Acta Crystallographica C41 1281-1284 |  | 1985 | synthetic: Merck "pro analyse" (batch number 0093820) | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.068 Å | (100) |
| 2.946 Å | (24) |
| 2.745 Å | (23) |
| 2.3767 Å | (17) |
| 2.0078 Å | (13) |
| 1.7232 Å | (16) |
| 1.6401 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
As an alteration product of lead minerals.
Type Occurrence of Massicot
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Massicot
Other Language Names for Massicot
French:Plomb oxidé jaune
German:Bleiglätte
Bleioxyd
Masicotit
Massicolit
Massicotit
Massicottit
Massikot
Silberglätte
Bleigelb (in part)
Bleioxyd
Masicotit
Massicolit
Massicotit
Massicottit
Massikot
Silberglätte
Bleigelb (in part)
Italian:Massicot
Russian:Массикот
Slovak:Masikot
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 21 photos of Massicot associated with Litharge | PbO |
| 13 photos of Massicot associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 9 photos of Massicot associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Massicot associated with Unnamed (Pb Oxysulphate Hydrate) | 3PbO · PbSO4 · H2O |
| 6 photos of Massicot associated with Galena | PbS |
| 5 photos of Massicot associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
| 5 photos of Massicot associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 4 photos of Massicot associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 4 photos of Massicot associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 4 photos of Massicot associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.AC.05 | Swedenborgite | NaBe4Sb5+O7 |
| 4.AC.10 | Brownmillerite | Ca2(Al,Fe3+)2O5 |
| 4.AC.10 | Srebrodolskite | Ca2Fe3+2O5 |
| 4.AC.10 | Shulamitite | Ca3TiFe3+AlO8 |
| 4.AC.10 | Sharyginite | Ca3TiFe2O8 |
| 4.AC.15 | Montroydite | HgO |
| 4.AC.20 | Litharge | PbO |
| 4.AC.20 | Romarchite | SnO |
| 4.AC.30 | Nataliakulikite | Ca4Ti2(Fe3+,Fe2+)(Si,Fe3+,Al)O11 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
Contains lead - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Internet Links for Massicot
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2587.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Massicot
Localities for Massicot
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.
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) |
| The Daydream Mine |
| Sielecki (1988) |
| Sielecki (1988) | |
| Noble R.J et al. (1983) |
| Dana 7:II:653. |
| Anderson (1905) |
| Parbhakar-Fox |
| Ferguson (1999) |
Austria | |
| Pichler (2003) |
| A.Pichler (2003) |
| [Lapis 1992: 2 p.19-30] |
| Kolitsch et al. (2022) |
Belgium | |
| Collected by Michel Blondieau - visual ... |
Bulgaria | |
| Kostov et al :Minerals of Bulgaria (1964) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Watson et al. (1996) |
Chile | |
| W. T Holberton (1920) |
China | |
| Fushun Li et al. (2012) |
| Banxiao Ruan et al. (2013) |
| Leiming Xu et al. (1993) |
| Minzhi Yang (2003) |
| Xiaobin Yang et al. (2006) |
| Zengqian Hou et al. (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Ettler et al. (2015) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
France | |
| Chollet et al. (2013) |
| Favreau G. et al. (1996) |
| ficheinfoterre.brgm.fr (2021) |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) +1 other reference |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) +1 other reference | |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Wittern et al. (Cologne) |
| Gol (2014) |
| Gol et al. (2010) | |
| Lheur et al. (1998) |
| Jean-Luc Portes Collection |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| 50. (in German) +1 other reference |
| U. Kolitsch (2000) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| |
| |
| ko.jansen +1 other reference |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Lapis (2) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| |
| |
| Habel et al. (2009) |
| Lapis (2) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Lapis et al. (1999) |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
| 40 (in German) +2 other references | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
Indonesia | |
| The Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 41 (2003) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| [Lapis 1994:5 p.13-23 |
| Pelloux (1926) |
| AA. VV. +1 other reference |
| Maida (2002) |
| Parola et al. (2023) |
| Pelloux (1904) +1 other reference |
| AA. VV. |
| Stara et al. (1994) |
| Mariani P. et al. (1975) | |
| AA. VV. |
| Brugnatelli (1897) |
| Paolo Gasparetto et al. (2014) |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1960) |
| Behier (1960) |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Wilson et al. (1986) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Hoffmann (1968) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Dana 7:I:518. +1 other reference | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) |
Morocco | |
| Reiner Mielke |
Namibia | |
| Cairncross et al. (1997) |
| Gebhard (1999) |
New Zealand | |
| Courtney et al. (1990) |
Norway | |
| Witsø (1998) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Volokhin et al. (2020, April) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
Serbia | |
| Pačevski et al. (2018) |
Slovakia | |
| Zipser Ch. A. |
| Zepharovich V. |
Slovenia | |
| Grafenauer (1960) +1 other reference | |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| De Jager (1966) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min.: 20:429. |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) | |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Sáinz de Baranda et al. (2004) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) |
| Öhman (2003) |
UK | |
| Norman Wilson collection |
| Rust (1994) |
| S. Rust collection |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) |
| Rust (2019) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Wilson et al. (1950) +2 other references |
| Lausen (1925) +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Mandarino (1996) | |
| Wilson et al. (1934) |
| Wilson (1933) |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference | |
| Wilson (1933) +1 other reference |
| Bancroft et al. (1990) | |
| Min.Rec.: 21: 160. +1 other reference | |
| Min.Rec.: 21:161. +1 other reference | |
| Min.Rec.: 21: 160. +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Min.: 61:55-56 +1 other reference | |
| Min.Rec.: 21: 158. +1 other reference | |
| Wilson (1933) | |
| Wilson (1933) | |
| Wilson (1933) +1 other reference |
| Williams (1968) +1 other reference |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference |
| |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Galbraith (1959) +2 other references |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Bancroft et al. (1990) |
| Schrader (1915) +2 other references |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Wilson (1933) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| - (1951, July) | |
| Bradley (1938) +1 other reference |
| Loew (1876) +1 other reference |
| Bradley (1940) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 184. +4 other references | |
| Larsen (1917) +1 other reference | |
| Larsen (1921) +1 other reference |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 184. +3 other references |
| King (n.d.) |
| |
| www.mineralsocal.org |
| Hanks (1884) +2 other references |
| Murdoch (1966) | |
| Barnes (1985) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Rocks & Min. 70:261 +1 other reference | |
| Umpleby et al. (1923) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Ream (2004) | |
| Umpleby et al. (1923) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Dana 7:I:517. |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Clive Bailen |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Clive Bailey | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Saathoff Collection |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Roberts et al. (1965) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| North (2010) | |
| USGS Bull 340D |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Dana 6:1073 +2 other references |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) |
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Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany