Pyrobelonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Pyrobelonite
Formula:
PbMn2+(VO4)(OH)
Colour:
Red, dark red
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
5.58 - 5.79
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Gustav Flink in 1919 from the Greek πυρ for "fire" and βελόνη for "needle," in allusion to its colour and the acicular habit of its crystals.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3315
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3315:8
IMA Classification of Pyrobelonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+Mn2+V5+O4(OH)
First published:
1919
Classification of Pyrobelonite
8.BH.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
41.5.2.3
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
21.4.17
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pbl | 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 Pyrobelonite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Pyrobelonite
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Red, dark red
Streak:
Orange-yellow, red-orange
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.58 - 5.79 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.82 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pyrobelonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.32 nβ = 2.36 nγ = 2.37
2V:
Measured: 29° , Calculated: 52°
Birefringence:
0.05
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050
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.
Anisotropism:
Strong
Bireflectance:
Visible
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Parallel, XYZ = acb
Colour in reflected light:
Gray with red to orange internal glints
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
shades of red-brown.
Chemistry of Pyrobelonite
Mindat Formula:
PbMn2+(VO4)(OH)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Pyrobelonite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.62 Å, b = 6.17 Å, c = 9.47 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.235 : 1 : 1.535
Unit Cell V:
445.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Acicular [001] or acute pyramidal; blocky.
Forms: {100}, {110}, {120}, {210}, {001}, {011}, {031}, {111}, {221}.
Forms: {100}, {110}, {120}, {210}, {001}, {011}, {031}, {111}, {221}.
Comment:
Given as Pnam. Kolitsch (2001) gives the following parameters for a practically pure sample: a = 7.646(2), b = 6.179(1), c = 9.507(2) Å.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010371 | Pyrobelonite | Kolitsch U (2001) Refinement of pyrobelonite, PbMnIIVO4(OH), a member of the descloizite group Acta Crystallographica E57 i119-i121 |  | 2001 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0000071 | Pyrobelonite | Donaldson D M, Barnes W H (1955) The structures of the minerals of the descloizite and adelite groups: II - pyrobelonite. American Mineralogist 40 580-596 |  | 1955 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.14 Å | (70) |
| 4.27 Å | (40) |
| 3.672 Å | (65) |
| 3.24 Å | (100) |
| 2.914 Å | (50) |
| 2.635 Å | (70) |
| 2.323 Å | (70) |
| 1.667 Å | (65) |
Comments:
ICDD 20-588
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Geological Setting:
Mineralization in fractures
Type Occurrence of Pyrobelonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Long-prismatic needles, seldom over one mm long.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Pyrobelonite
Dutch:Pyrobeloniet
German:Pyrobelonit
Russian:Пиробелонит
Simplified Chinese:钒锰铅矿
Spanish:Pirobelonita
Traditional Chinese:釩錳鉛礦
Relationship of Pyrobelonite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Adelite-Descloizite Group:
| Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Austinite | CaZn(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| 'Duftite-alpha' | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) | |
| Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| Plumbogottlobite | PbMg(VO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
| 'Unnamed (Pb-analogue of Nickelaustinite)' | PbNi(AsO4)(OH) | |
| Vuagnatite | CaAl(SiO4)(OH) | Orth. 222 : P212121 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 3 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Beudantite | PbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 |
| 3 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Native Copper | Cu |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 2 photos of Pyrobelonite associated with Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BH. | Peterchinite | Zn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3] |
| 8.BH. | Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F |
| 8.BH. | Plumbogottlobite | PbMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH. | Cuprozheshengite | Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Zheshengite | Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Crimsonite | PbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.05 | Thadeuite | Ca(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BH.10 | Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.10 | Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.10 | Maxwellite | NaFe3+(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Durangite | NaAl(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F |
| 8.BH.15 | Drugmanite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.20 | Nigelcookite | PbFe2+2V3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumbojohntomaite | PbFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Cirrolite | Ca3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?) |
| 8.BH.20 | Penikisite | Ba(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite Group | |
| 8.BH.20 | Strontioperloffite | SrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumboperloffite | PbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Johntomaite | BaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite | (Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Kulanite | Ba(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.25 | Bertossaite | Li2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Natropalermoite | Na2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Palermoite | Li2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.30 | Sewardite | CaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.30 | Carminite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.35 | Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gabrielsonite | PbFe3+(As3+O3)O |
| 8.BH.35 | Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | 'Duftite-alpha' | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Austinite | CaZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Khorixasite | (Bi0.67◻0.33)Cu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.45 | Bayldonite | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.45 | Vésigniéite | BaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.50 | Paganoite | NiBi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.55 | Jagowerite | BaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.55 | Harrisonite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2 |
| 8.BH.60 | Attakolite | CaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.65 | Leningradite | PbCu3(VO4)2Cl |
| 8.BH.70 | Katiarsite | KTiO(AsO4) |
| 8.BH.70 | Yurgensonite | K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BH.75 | Melanarsite | K3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BH.80 | Evseevite | Na2Mg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.80 | Moraskoite | Na2Mg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.85 | Piccoliite | NaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH) |
Fluorescence of Pyrobelonite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Pyrobelonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3315.html
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References for Pyrobelonite
Reference List:
Larsen, E.S.; Berman, H. (1934) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin of the US Geological Survey Vol. 848. US Geological Survey p.1-266. doi:10.3133/b848 p.211
Strunz, H. (1939) Mineralien der Descloizitgruppe. Konichalcit, Staszizit, Austinit, Duftit, Aräoxen, Volborthit, Pyrobelonit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 101 (1). 496-506 doi:10.1524/zkri.1939.101.1.496
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z). American Mineralogist, 25 (7). 441-479
Barnes, W. H., Qurashi, M. M. (1952) Unit cell and space group data for certain vanadium minerals. American Mineralogist, 37 (5-6) 407-422
Donaldson, D. M., Barnes, W. H. (1955) The structures of the minerals of the descoloizite and adelite groups: II-Pyrobelonite. American Mineralogist, 40 (7-8) 580-596
Criddle, A. J., Symes, R. F. (1977) Mineralization at Tŷ Coch, Glamorgan (Mid Glamorgan), Wales: the second occurrence of pyrobelonite. Mineralogical Magazine, 41 (317) 85-90 doi:10.1180/minmag.1977.041.317.13
Localities for Pyrobelonite
Showing 39 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 | |
| Segnit et al. (1983) +6 other references |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2021) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2025) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2025) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2018) |
Canada | |
| SASSANO et al. (1987) |
Germany | |
| Brugger et al. (2001) |
| Roppel et al. (08/22) |
| Gröbner et al. (2011) |
Italy | |
| Ciriotti et al. (2011) |
| Pagano et al. (2001) | |
| Castellaro-Kampf | |
| Gianluca Armellino specimen | |
| Bracco et al. (2001) |
| Castellaro et al. (2023) |
| |
| Castellaro et al. (2011) |
| Piccoli et al. (2021) |
| Cámara et al. (2017) |
Japan | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Brusnitsyn et al. (2021) |
Namibia | |
| Dunn (1991) |
Norway | |
| Breivik et al. (2007) |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (2001) |
| Geologiska Föreningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger (1919) +2 other references |
| Wiklund (2016) | |
| Gustafsson (2003) | |
| Folvik (2009) |
| Sandström et al. (2009) |
| Sandström et al. (2009) | |
| Torbjorn Lorin | |
Switzerland | |
| Brugger et al. (1996) |
| Brugger J. (1996) | |
| The Canadian Mineralogist 44 (2006) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Criddle et al. (1977) |
USA | |
| Dunn (1979) +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) |
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Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia