Images
Formula: Pb4(SO4)(CO3)2(OH)2
Compound carbonate, paramorph of
leadhillite and
susannite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 6.50 to 6.55 measured, 6.67 calculated
Hardness: 2½ to 3
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, white, very pale amber
Solubility: Soluble in dilute acids
Environments
Macphersonite is an uncommon secondary mineral in the zone
of oxidation of lead deposits, associated with
leadhillite, susannite,
cerussite, caledonite,
pyromorphite, scotlandite,
mattheddleite, galena and
quartz (HOM).
Localities
At the the Argentolle Mine, Saint-Prix, Saone-et-Loire, France, macphersonite is found with
susannite, cerussite,
pyromorphite, galena,
quartz and scotlandite (AM 70.874).
At Red Gill, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, UK, macphersonite, the rarest of the basic lead-sulphate carbonates,
has been identified on a single specimen, in a cavity in quartz veinstone with
susannite, caledonite and
mattheddleite (JRS 11.39).
At the type locality, the Susanna Mine, Leadhills, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK, macphersonite is associated with
leadhillite, susannite,
cerussite, caledonite and
pyromorphite (AM 70.874).
Back to Minerals