Litharge
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Litharge
Formula:
PbO
Colour:
Red
Lustre:
Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
9.14
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
From the Greek λιθάργνρος, the name given by Dioscorides (50 A.D.) to a material obtained in the process of separating lead from silver by fire metallurgy. Dana (1892) mentioned litharge, also as an artificial product, without indicating that there might be a natural equivalent. Litharge was established, as a polymorph of massicot by Esper S. Larsen Sr. in 1917 supposedly as a new mineral, based on optical examination of artificial and natural specimens. Edgder Wherry (1917) proposed the name "lithargite," but that name did not achieve acceptance. The first detailed mineralogical description of litharge was by Palache, Berman, and Frondel (1944).
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2466
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2466:8
IMA Classification of Litharge
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+O
Classification of Litharge
4.AC.20
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)
4.2.4.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
2 : AX
7.11.21
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lit | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Litharge
Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Red
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {110}.
On {110}.
Density:
9.14 g/cm3 (Measured) 9.35 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured on synthetic material
Optical Data of Litharge
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.665 nε = 2.535
Birefringence:
0.130
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.130
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Litharge
Mindat Formula:
PbO
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Litharge
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/nmm
Setting:
P4/nmm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.9729 Å, c = 5.0217 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.264
Unit Cell V:
79.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Alteration borders on scales or tablets of massicot; crusts. Artificial crystals are tabular {001}.
Comment:
See also ICDD 5-561. a = 3.9729, c = 5.0192 Å.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013543 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction; in the four-circle diffractometer Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 295 | |
| 0013542 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction; in the cryostat Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 295 | |
| 0013539 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: Neutron Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 300 | |
| 0013541 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 182 | |
| 0013544 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 473 | |
| 0013540 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 77.6 | |
| 0013538 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: Neutron Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 77 | |
| 0013537 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: Neutron Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 30 | |
| 0013536 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: Neutron Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 2 | |
| 0013545 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 673 | |
| 0013546 | Litharge | Boher P, Garnier P, Gavarri J R, Hewat A W (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbO alpha(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroelastique Method: X-ray Diffraction Journal of Solid State Chemistry 57 343-350 | 1985 | synthetic | 0 | 723 | |
| 0017894 | Litharge | Dickinson R, Friauf J (1924) The crystal structure of tetragonal lead monoxide _cod_database_code 1010977 Journal of the American Chemical Society 46 2457-2462 | 1924 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.018 Å | (5) |
| 3.115 Å | (100) |
| 2.809 Å | (62) |
| 2.510 Å | (18) |
| 2.124 Å | (1) |
| 1.988 Å | (8) |
| 1.872 Å | (37) |
| 1.675 Å | (24) |
| 1.558 Å | (6) |
| 1.542 Å | (11) |
| 1.438 Å | (2) |
| 1.405 Å | (5) |
| 1.282 Å | (2) |
| 1.256 Å | (3) |
| 1.226 Å | (4) |
| 1.219 Å | (5) |
| 1.1977 Å | (1) |
| 1.1462 Å | (2) |
| 1.1232 Å | (2) |
| 1.0768 Å | (3) |
| 1.0610 Å | (2) |
| 1.0386 Å | (1) |
| 1.0254 Å | (1) |
| 0.9738 Å | (1) |
| 0.9462 Å | (1) |
| 0.9365 Å | (3) |
| 0.9200 Å | (3) |
Comments:
ICDD 5-561 (synthetic)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| 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) | |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Litharge
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Litharge
Other Language Names for Litharge
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 42 photos of Litharge associated with Native Lead | Pb |
| 22 photos of Litharge associated with Massicot | PbO |
| 15 photos of Litharge associated with Native Copper | Cu |
| 14 photos of Litharge associated with Hydrocerussite | Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 12 photos of Litharge associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
| 11 photos of Litharge associated with Magnesioferrite | MgFe3+2O4 |
| 10 photos of Litharge associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 8 photos of Litharge associated with Galena | PbS |
| 8 photos of Litharge associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Litharge associated with 'Unnamed (Pb Oxysulphate Hydrate)' | 3PbO · PbSO4 · H2O |
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.25 | Massicot | PbO |
| 4.AC.30 | Nataliakulikite | Ca4Ti2(Fe3+,Fe2+)(Si,Fe3+,Al)O11 |
Fluorescence of Litharge
Not known to be fluorescent.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Converts at 488°C into massicot.
Health Risks:
Contains lead - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest.
Internet Links for Litharge
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2466.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 Litharge
Reference List:
Scott, Alexander (1914) Litharge from Zarshuran, Persia. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 17 (80) 143-146 doi:10.1180/minmag.1914.017.80.05
Larsen, Esper S. (1917) Massicot and litharge, the two modifications of lead monoxide. American Mineralogist, 2 (2) 18-19
Wherry, Edgar T. (1917) Note on the nomenclature of the lead monoxide minerals. American Mineralogist, 2 (2) 19
Dickinson, Roscoe G., Friauf, James B. (1924) THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF TETRAGONAL LEAD MONOXIDE. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 46 (11) 2457-2463 doi:10.1021/ja01676a015
Shannon, Earl Victor (1927) A lead ore consisting of native lead, leadhillite, and lithargite [Hailey, Idaho]. Economic Geology, 22 (8) 826-829 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.22.8.826
Boher, P., Garnier, P., Gavarri, J.R., Hewat, A.W. (1985) Monoxyde quadratique PbOα(I): Description de la transition structurale ferroe´lastique. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 57. 343-350 doi:10.1016/0022-4596(85)90197-5
Localities for Litharge
Showing 184 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 | |
| Gilligan et al. (1992) |
| M. Latham Collection 2011 +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2013) |
| Blaß et al. (1997) |
| Pichler (2009) |
| Pichler (2003) |
| Auer (1995) |
| R.Poeverlein (2016) |
| Schebesta (1992) |
| Kolitsch (2013) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2022) |
Belgium | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| |
Bolivia | |
| Alfredo Petrov and Jaroslav Hyrsl ... |
Canada | |
| Romios Gold Resources Inc. |
China | |
| www.ngu.no (n.d.) |
Czech Republic | |
| RÜSENBERG et al. (1996) |
| Ettler et al. (2015) |
France | |
| Ducluzaux (2022) |
| Ducluzaux (2022) |
| Vernay (1997) +1 other reference |
| Germain C. et al. (1990) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Gol (2014) |
| Lheur et al. (1998) |
| Périnet F. (2018) |
| Périnet F. (2018) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schlomann et al. (1990) |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| |
| |
| ko.jansen +1 other reference |
| Neschen (n.d.) | |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Stieglitz et al. (1989) |
| Bender et al. (1994) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Blaß et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| International Association of Collectors ... +1 other reference | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) +1 other reference |
| Der Aufschluss Vol. 60 |
| 58 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991) | |
| Gerhard Möhn Collection Analyzed by ... |
| Knoll (2004) |
| Knoll (2004) | |
| Besteman | |
Greece | |
| van Kalmthout (2012) +1 other reference |
| Triantafyllidis et al. (2023) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1982) | |
| Katerinopoulos et al. (1994) |
| Wendel et al. (1999) | |
| van Kalmthout (2012) | |
| Katerinopoulos et al. (1994) | |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Gelaude et al. (1996) |
| Scheffer et al. (2019) |
| Wagner et al. (1980) |
| Wagner et al. (1980) | |
| Wagner et al. (1980) | |
| Wagner et al. (1980) | |
| Sotiropoulou et al. (2010) |
Greenland | |
| Sørensen (2001) +1 other reference |
| Otter (2023) | |
Iran | |
| www.dainst.org (n.d.) |
| Scott (1914) |
| Boni et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Palombi et al. (2009) |
| Parola et al. (2023) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| Urraci E.- Lini M. – Mattias P. (2006) |
| Stara P. (1996) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Gasparetto et al. (2014) |
| "Lithothek der Münchener Micromounter" ... |
| Jansen et al. (1998) | |
| Int. Assoc. of Collectors of Slag Minerals (2) |
| www.comune.pisa.it (2000) | |
| Jansen et al. (1998) |
| Franzini et al. (1992) +2 other references |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Wilson et al. (1986) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Panczner (1987) | |
| Hoffmann (1968) +1 other reference |
| Moore (2008) | |
| 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) |
Morocco | |
| Dietrich et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Favreau et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| Ettler et al. (2009) |
Norway | |
| Larsen et al. (2010) +2 other references |
Poland | |
| Cabała +4 other references |
Romania | |
| Hansen et al. (2019) |
Russia | |
| Rakhimov et al. (2023) |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Silyanov et al. (2021) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov data |
| Pekov et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| American Mineralogist |
| Grant et al. (2001) |
| R. V. Kuzhuget et al. (2017) |
Serbia | |
| Radosavljević-Mihajlović et al. (2017) |
Slovenia | |
| Grafenauer (1960) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference | |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Joan Abella i Creus (Joanabellacreus@gmail.com) |
Sweden | |
| Grensman et al. (2001) |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Adolfsson (1979) | |
| - (2012) | |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Nysten (1984) |
Tajikistan | |
| Badalov et al. (1975) |
UK | |
| Griffiths (n.d.) |
| Norman Wilson collection |
| Norman Wilson +3 other references |
| Norman Wilson collection | |
| Ford et al. (1993) |
| 58 (in German) +3 other references |
| A Thompson collection |
| Norman Wilson collection |
| Green (1987) +2 other references |
| S. Rust collection | |
| Livingstone et al. (1983) |
| Green et al. (1996) +2 other references |
USA | |
| Mandarino (1996) |
| Bancroft et al. (1990) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| Williams et al. (1963) +1 other reference | |
| Arthur L. Flagg Collection No. 4536 |
| Wilson (1951, July) |
| Wheeler (1876) +1 other reference |
| Bradley (1940) +1 other reference |
| Larsen (1917) +1 other reference | |
| Hanks (1884) +2 other references |
| Shannon et al. (1985) |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| Ream (1995) |
| Gleba (2008) |
| Gobla (2012) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Steve Pullman |
| Smith (1991) |
| Alminas +2 other references | |
| Energy Fuels Inc. |
Zimbabwe | |
| Vetter et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout LithargeUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Milltown Quarry, Milltown, Ashover, North East Derbyshire District, Derbyshire, England, UK