Information about Boulangerite

Boulangerite is a lead-antimony sulphosalt mineral typically forming fibrous to acicular (needle-like) crystals that often appear as dense, hair-like mats or radial tufts.

Its colour ranges from steel grey to bluish grey, sometimes with a silky or metallic sheen. It tarnishes easily to a dull bluish or blackish grey.

Uses and History

Though it contains lead and antimony, Boulangerite is too rare and fragile to be a significant ore of either metal. Its main value lies in mineral collecting, especially due to its delicate and aesthetic fibrous formations.

The type locality for Boulangerite is Molieres-Cavaillac, France. It was named in 1837 for the French mining engineer Charles Boulanger.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Toxic mineral: Contains lead and antimony.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-738.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulangerite
• https://www.minerals.net/mineral/boulangerite.aspx
• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=61&name=Boulangerite