bayldonite

Bayldonite is a rare arsenate mineral. Its chemical formula is Pb3(AsO4)2, indicating it is a lead arsenate. Bayldonite typically occurs as a secondary mineral, meaning it forms from the alteration of other minerals, often in the oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal deposits. It is commonly found in association with other lead and arsenic minerals. Crystals of bayldonite are usually small and can be prismatic or acicular. It often forms as crusts or granular aggregates. The color of bayldonite can vary, but it is frequently described as pale yellow to greenish yellow. Its hardness is relatively low, typically around 3 on the Mohs scale, and it has a specific gravity of approximately 6.0. Bayldonite is named in honor of the English mineral collector J. Bayldon. Notable occurrences include the Wheal Mary Jane mine in Cornwall, England, and various locations in Broken Hill, Australia, and the Republic of the Congo. Due to its rarity and often small crystal size, bayldonite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and geologists rather than having significant industrial applications.