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anglesite

Anglesite is a lead sulfate mineral with the chemical formula PbSO4. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and commonly forms colorless to white crystals, often with a pale yellow or gray tint, as well as massive or granular aggregates. The mineral has a vitreous luster, is transparent to translucent in well-formed crystals, and typically displays sharp, angular crystal faces. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is about 2.5–3, and its specific gravity is approximately 6.3–6.5.

Anglesite forms in the oxidation zones of lead-bearing ore deposits, produced by the alteration of galena in

Geographically, anglesite is found in numerous lead-rich regions around the world, with well-known specimens reported from

sulfate-rich
fluids.
It
is
commonly
found
in
association
with
other
secondary
lead
minerals
such
as
cerussite
(PbCO3),
galena
(PbS),
wulfenite
(PbMoO4),
and
baryte
(BaSO4).
The
mineral
can
occur
as
well-formed
crystals
or
as
crusts
and
coatings
on
host
rocks.
localities
in
North
America,
Europe,
Africa,
and
elsewhere.
It
is
primarily
of
interest
to
mineral
collectors
and
researchers
as
a
secondary
mineral
in
lead
ore
systems
and
as
a
indicator
of
supergene
alteration
of
primary
lead
sulfide
ore.
While
it
is
not
a
primary
ore
of
lead,
anglesite
contributes
to
the
broader
understanding
of
ore-forming
processes
and
the
mineralogical
evolution
of
oxidized
ore
bodies.