Plumbogummite pseudomorphs after Pyromorphite, Yangshuo Mine, Guilin, China

I remember when the mineral market was stunned when these incredible plumbogummite specimens started arriving from China. Prior to 2014-15, plumbogummite was relatively unknown to the greater market but the Yangshuo Mine specimens changed that. Plumbogummite is a rare phosphate mineral that forms after the oxidation of lead deposits. At Yangshuo, plumbogummite has replaced and retained the form of pyromorphite (a lead chlorophosphate) so they are pseudomorphs ("false form"). This example shows the pseudomorph process in transition. The original hexagonal pyromorphite is a wonderful, vivid yellow-green. Those crystals showing a pale "robin's egg" blue have transformed into plumbogummite making for a very colourful sample. This colouration, along with its size, make a bold statement. From Rob Belcher's collection. From: Yangshuo Mine, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang, China. Dimensions: 9 cm x 7 cm x 5 cm