Lead arsenate chloride forming bright yellow to orange hexagonal barrel-shaped crystals. Name means "imitator" as it resembles pyromorphite. Color: Yellow, orange, brown, colorless. Luster: Resinous to adamantine. Streak: White. Cleavage: Poor. Hardness: 3.5-4. Transparency: Translucent to opaque. Crystal system: Hexagonal. Chemical formula: Pb₅ AsO₄ ₃Cl. Specific gravity: 7.1-7.2. Formation: Forms in the oxidation zone of lead ore deposits, often associated with galena and other secondary lead minerals. Common geological settings: Mexico, Namibia, England, USA; found in oxidized lead-zinc deposits. Common look-alikes and related entries: Pyromorphite, Vanadinite, Wulfenite. Specimen safety: Keep this lead- and arsenic-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:34.93302+00:00
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Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Lead: working safely — Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian occupational-health guidance on lead exposure, dust control, hygiene, and safe handling.
Arsenic (inorganic compounds, as As) — CDC/NIOSH. Official occupational-hazard, exposure-route, symptom, and protective-equipment information for inorganic arsenic compounds.
Lead arsenate chloride forming bright yellow to orange hexagonal barrel-shaped crystals. Name means "imitator" as it resembles pyromorphite.
How can you identify Mimetite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Yellow, orange, brown, colorless; lustre: Resinous to adamantine; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 3.5-4; cleavage: Poor; crystal system: Hexagonal; transparency: Translucent to opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Mimetite form?
Forms in the oxidation zone of lead ore deposits, often associated with galena and other secondary lead minerals.
Where is Mimetite commonly found?
Mexico, Namibia, England, USA; found in oxidized lead-zinc deposits.
Is Mimetite safe to handle?
Keep this lead- and arsenic-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets. Avoid creating dust or using destructive tests on an unknown specimen, and follow site-specific safety procedures.
What is Mimetite commonly confused with?
Mimetite may be confused with Pyromorphite, Vanadinite, Wulfenite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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