Mimetite




Helps communication, grounds and insulates. at peak.

Mimetite, which is a member of the Apatite group, is a Lead Chloroarsenate mineral. It is mined as a low grade ore of lead, as well as to supply the trade in mineral specimens; good examples are well regarded by collectors. It is typically yellow or close to it, but can also be anywhere between colorless and green. The crystals are rarely well formed, and this feature can be used to help in identification, along with its relatively high density and bright luster. It occurs in four basic forms — tiny needle-like crystals (as seen above), botryoidal crusts, small globular masses, and as medium-sized aggregations. This mineral has a specific gravity of 7.1+.

Chemical Composition:
Lead Chloroarsenate Pb5(AsO4)3Cl
Color:
Typically yellow, orange, or brown, also green, colorless, or gray.
Hardness:
3.5 - 4
Specific Gravity
7.1+
Cleavage:
Imperfect
Fracture:
Sub-conchoidal
Crystal Structure:
Transparent to transluscent; hexagonal
Occurence:
Mexico (Mapimi), USA (Arizona), and Namibia (Tsumeb)