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
IMA Classification of Massicot
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+O
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 = 2.51 nβ = 2.61 nγ = 2.71
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 86°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.200
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:
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/m2/m2/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
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
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Dutch:Massicot
French:Plomb oxidé jaune
German:Massicotit
Bleiglätte
Bleioxyd
Masicotit
Massicolit
Massicottit
Massikot
Silberglätte
Bleigelb (in part)
Bleiglätte
Bleioxyd
Masicotit
Massicolit
Massicottit
Massikot
Silberglätte
Bleigelb (in part)
Italian:Massicot
Russian:Массикот
Slovak:Masikot
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 22 photos of Massicot associated with Litharge | PbO |
| 14 photos of Massicot associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 11 photos of Massicot associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Massicot associated with Galena | PbS |
| 8 photos of Massicot associated with 'Unnamed (Pb Oxysulphate Hydrate)' | 3PbO · PbSO4 · H2O |
| 5 photos of Massicot associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 5 photos of Massicot associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
| 5 photos of Massicot associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
| 4 photos of Massicot associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 4 photos of Massicot associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.AC.05 | Swedenborgite | NaBe4Sb5+O7 |
| 4.AC.10 | Brownmillerite | Ca2Fe3+AlO5 |
| 4.AC.10 | Shulamitite | Ca3TiFe3+AlO8 |
| 4.AC.10 | Sharyginite | Ca3TiFe2O8 |
| 4.AC.10 | Srebrodolskite | Ca2Fe3+2O5 |
| 4.AC.15 | Montroydite | HgO |
| 4.AC.20 | Romarchite | SnO |
| 4.AC.20 | Litharge | PbO |
| 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
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1917) Massicot and litharge, the two modifications of lead monoxide. American Mineralogist, 2 (2) 18-19
Localities for Massicot
Showing 240 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.
Australia | |
| Steve Sorrell Collection |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) |
| The Daydream Mine |
| Sielecki (1988) |
| Sielecki (1988) | |
| Noble et al. (1983) |
| Dana 7:II:653. |
| Anderson (1905) |
| Parbhakar-Fox et al. (2019) |
| Ferguson (1999) |
Austria | |
| Pichler (2003) |
| Pichler (2003) |
| Schebesta (1992) |
| 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) |
| 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) |
| Hohl (1994) +1 other reference |
| Hohl (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Gol (2014) |
| Gol et al. (2010) | |
| Lheur et al. (1998) |
| Jean-Luc Portes Collection |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schlomann et al. (1990) |
| Kolitsch (2000) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| |
| |
| ko.jansen +1 other reference |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Stieglitz et al. (1989) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| |
| |
| Habel et al. (2009) |
| Graf (1991) |
| Graf (1991) | |
| Graf (1991) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Knoll (2004) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
| Grolig et al. (1978) +2 other references | |
| Wendel et al. (1999) |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Indonesia | |
| Warmada et al. (2003) +1 other reference |
Iran | |
| Rajabzadeh et al. (2020) |
Italy | |
| [Lapis 1994:5 p.13-23 |
| Pelloux (1926) |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Maida (2002) |
| Parola et al. (2023) |
| Pelloux (1904) +1 other reference |
| - (n.d.) |
| Stara et al. (1994) |
| A. Del Caldo +2 other references | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Brugnatelli (1897) |
| 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 | |
| Mielke (n.d.) |
Namibia | |
| Cairncross (1997) |
| Gebhard (1999) |
New Zealand | |
| Courtney et al. (1990) |
Norway | |
| Witsø (1998) |
Pacific Ocean | |
| Volokhin et al. (2020, April) |
Portugal | |
| Silva et al. (2026) |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
Serbia | |
| Mineco Limited |
Slovakia | |
| Zipster (1817) |
| Zepharovich (1859) |
Slovenia | |
| Rečnik (2010) | |
| Grafenauer (1960) | |
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 | |
| Griffiths (n.d.) |
| 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) | |
| Wilson (1933) +1 other reference | |
| Wilson (1933) +1 other reference | |
| Wilson (1933) +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Min.: 61:55-56 +1 other reference | |
| Wilson (1933) +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.) |
| Wilson (1951, July) | |
| Bradley (1938) +1 other reference |
| Loew (1876) +1 other reference |
| Bradley (1940) +1 other reference |
| Raymond (1875a) +4 other references | |
| Larsen (1917) +1 other reference | |
| Larsen (1921) +1 other reference |
| Ransome (1940) +3 other references |
| King (n.d.) |
| |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| 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) |
| Rocks & Min. 70:261 +1 other reference |
| Umpleby et al. (1923) +1 other reference | |
| - (2005) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Ream (2004) | |
| Umpleby et al. (1923) | |
| Ream (1995) |
| 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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Les Rats Mine slag dumps, Le Crozet, Roanne, Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France