Mimetite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Mimetite (pronounced mih-muh-tite) is a commonly yellow to red or brownish gemstone closely related to pyromorphite.

Is mimetite rare? Despite having many sources, mimetite minerals are still rare, since they’re only found in small amounts. Transparent crystals are even rarer, especially facetable ones.

Additionally, mimetite is a pretty soft mineral, making it more common as a collector’s mineral than a gem.

This guide will teach you all about mimetite’s properties, prices, history, and more!

Image credit: Ivar Leidus, CC-BY-SA-4.0

About Mimetite Stone

Mimetite is a rare semi-precious gemstone found in autumnal colors like yellows, reds, oranges, and browns. Other names for mimetite include:

• Arsenate of Lead

• Green Lead Ore

• Petterdite

• Gorlandite

• Mimetene

• Mimetesite

• Mimtesite

Astrologically, mimetite benefits Virgos, particularly August-born Virgos.

Mimetite Uses

Most mimetite goes to collections, but the mineral has some non-gemstone uses. For one, it’s a minor source of lead. A more important use, however, is for research.

Scientists have used natural and synthetic mimetite to research how to remove arsenic contamination and how certain fungi transform minerals. The latter research may give insights into metal stabilization, bio-recovery, and bio-remediation.

Pictured above: Yellow mimetite crystals on dolomite matrix | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mimetite Specifications & Characteristics

Mimetite is a lead arsenate chloride with the formula Pb5(AsO4)3Cl. Common impurities are calcium, fluorine, chromium, and vanadium.

Most mimetites are small, prismatic crystals. Crystals can also be acicular (needle-like). Mimetite aggregates or masses may be globular, botryoidal (resembling grape clusters), rounded and barrel-shaped, stalactic, reniform (kidney-shaped), granular, or spindle-shaped.

The stone belongs to the apatite mineral group. Other members of the group form series with mimetite: hedyphane, pyromorphite, and vanadinite. Mimetite, vanadinite, and pyromorphite actually form a complete solid solution series.

Mimetite Identification

Mimetite’s most distinguishable features are:

• High density

• Colors

• Crystal habit

• Piezoelectric properties

• Over-the-limit refractive index

However, some of these traits overlap between mimetite and other rare gems, namely cassiterite, wulfenite, and vanadinite.

Piezoelectricity can separate mimetite from the non-piezoelectric cassiterite and vanadinite.

Between wulfenite and mimetite, wulfenite usually has higher refractive indices.

The hardest identification is mimetite vs pyromorphite, which often requires chemical analysis.

Mimetite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 3.5-4

• Color: Shades of yellow, yellowish-brown, orange-yellow, orange, orange-red, red, brown, white, colorless; Rarely green

• Crystal structure: Hexagonal

• Luster: Sub-adamantine or resinous

• Transparency: Translucent to opaque; Very rarely transparent

• Refractive index: 2.128-2.147

• Density: 7.24 (lower if calcium replaces lead)

• Cleavage: Poor/indistinct in traces on {1011}

• Fracture: Uneven/irregular or subconchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence sometimes present - orange-red, reddish-yellow, or yellowish-white in LW-UV & reddish-yellow or orange in SW-UV

• Pleochroism: Present but weak in shades of yellow

• Birefringence: 0.019

• Dispersion: None

Pictured above: Red campylite crystals on matrix | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Types of Mimetite

Mimetite varieties are separated by impurities and appearance.

The varieties based on impurities are:

• Calcium-bearing Mimetite: Calcium substituting for lead; Also called “nuissierite”

• Vanadium-bearing Mimetite: Vanadium-bearing but not vanadium-dominant like vanadinite

Another one is chromium-bearing mimetite, but it’s mostly synonymous with bellite, the first variety we’ll discuss next.

Bellite

Bellite is a crimson-red, yellow, or orange mineral with the formula Pb5(AsO4,CrO4,SiO4)3Cl. Some believe it’s a mixture of quartz, mimetite, and crocoite; others believe it has a 10:1 ratio of cerussite and crocoite.

However, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) discredited the name “bellite” in 1993, saying it was simply a chromium-bearing mimetite.

Campylite

Campylite is a mimetite (or sometimes pyromorphite) variety characterized by its barrel-shaped crystals.

The name comes from the Greek term kampylos, meaning “bent,” in reference to the crystals’ barrel-shaped bend.

Most campylite comes from France and England.

Prixite

Prixite is a hydrous arsenate of lead from France that’s likely a mimetite variety.

Color-Banded Mimetite

One unnamed variety of mimetite more recently used by lapidaries is opaque with color banding. The material resembles “wood tin” cassiterite and schalenblendesphalerite. It may come from Bolivia.

Pictured above: Spherical aggregates of acicular (needle-like) mimetite on carbonate 

Mimetite History

The oldest record of mimetite dates back to 2nd-century BC, specifically the Tomb (or Hypogeum) of the Three Brothers in Palmyra, an ancient city in present-day Syria. The popular burial site contains various wall murals and paintings.

In 2014, scientists discovered that bright yellow paint pigment used in the paintings contained mimetite. There are no other recorded mimetite uses during that time period.

The first official (recorded) discovery of mimetite, however, was in 1748. Swedish chemist Johan Gottschalk Wallerius published a description of the mineral with the name Plumbum arsenico mineralisatum, Latin for “lead mineralized with arsenic” based on specimens from Saxony, Germany.

In 1787 and 1789, respectively, French chemists Joseph-Louis Proust and Antoine François Fourcroy published information on the mineral, calling it Plomb vert arsenical (French for “green lead arsenate”).

Another early name used by Johann George Lenz in 1794 was Arsenikalisches Bleyerz, German for “arsenic lead ore.”

In 1832, French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant chose the name “Mimetèse,” derived from the Greek mïmitís, meaning “imitator,” because mimetite was so similar to pyromorphite. The name, altered according to the language, ended up sticking.

Discovery of Mimetite Varieties

French mineralogist Alexandre Felix G.A. Leymerie first discovered prixite in France in 1859. Mineralogist Andrew M. Clark identified that prixite was likely a mimetite variety in 1993.

Tasmanian scientist William Frederick Petterd first reported bellite in 1904, naming it after Tasmanian mineral prospector William Robert Bell. American mineralogist Charles Palache, with others, noted in 1951 that bellite was “identical or near mimetite.”

In 1993, mineralogists Ernest Henry Nickel and Greg J. Hitchen analyzed some of Petterd’s specimens, reporting they were low-chromium mimetite.

American mineralogist Sid Williams and French mineralogist Fabien P. Cesbron made a synthetic chromium-dominant mimetite in 1980, naming it “bellite.”

In 1993, the IMA discredited “bellite” as a mineral name.

Shifting to the metaphysical, what are the spiritual properties of mimetite?

Pictured above: Spherical aggregates of botyroidal mimetite on matrix | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mimetite Healing Properties

As a primarily yellow healing stone, mimetite’s meaning reflects that of other yellow gemstones, boosting joy, concentration, and optimism. Mimetite is also a great solar plexus chakra stone.

Besides those, what is mimetite good for? It’s said to:

• Balance emotions

• Provide serenity

• Facilitate vulnerability

• Cleanse your auric field

Pictured above: Orangish-red wulfenite on yellow mimetite crystal | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mimetite Gemstone Properties

Mimetite gemstones are quite rare, and most of the ones that have been cut are in collections. But we’ll still go over how some standard factors affect mimetite’s value:

• Color: Brighter, more pure colors are more valuable for mimetite. These include bright yellows, reds, and oranges, along with the rare green.

• Cut: Only two sources have produced facetable crystals, so faceted mimetites are quite valuable. Most specimens are cut into cabochons or sold rough (uncut).

• Transparency: Most mimetites lean toward translucent to opaque, so higher transparency and fewer inclusions means higher value.

• Carat Weight / Size: Globular mimetites from Mexico have been cut into cabochons up to 1-2 inches in length. Transparent crystals are usually kept uncut, but broken ones have small gems, up to 5-7 carats max.

How does mimetite form in the first place?

Mimetite Formation & Sources

Mimetite is a secondary mineral, meaning it forms when primary minerals undergo changes — in this case, lead minerals like arsenopyrite and galena oxidize, changing into mimetite.

What type of rock is mimetite found in? Mimetite is usually found in the oxidized zones of arsenic-bearing lead deposits. It can also be found in areas that contain lead and arsenic together. Mimetite may also alter into bayldonite.

Mining Locations

Where is mimetite found? The mineral form has many localities, but currently, only Namibia and China have produced facetable mimetite specimens (mostly Namibia).

Attractive yellow and orange globular mimetites have been found in Mexico. Some of the best transparent crystals come from Thailand.

Other sources for fine specimens include:

• Australia

• Austria

• France

• Czechia

• Germany

• Iran

• Russia

• Slovakia

• Sweden

• Thailand

• Scotland

• USA (Arizona, Pennsylvania)

Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Mimetite Price & Value

Given their rarity, faceted mimetites are unsurprisingly the most expensive. Of the few for sale, they range from around $40 to upwards of $1,370 per carat with weights ranging from 0.5 to 4 carats.

Rough mimetite crystals and specimens vary broadly in price.

On the low end, small crystals can go for around $5 to $25 each.

On the high end, large transparent crystals on a valuable mineral matrix like wulfenite or dioptase can cost $17,500 to $18,000. Huge (3-lb) crystal specimens that are fully intact can be $13,500.

Many large specimens of mimetite with wulfenite are $1,800 to $4,000. Small mimetite and wulfenite specimens can be $10 to $50.

Mimetite Care and Maintenance

Lastly, we’ll discuss gemstone care.

First, is mimetite toxic? Finished gemstones aren’t dangerous to handle, but mimetites do contain arsenic and lead, which are highly toxic if inhaled. This mainly poses a safety issue when cutting or polishing the gem. We still recommend washing your hands after handling any specimens, just in case.

Given the stone’s low hardness, handle mimetite very gently.

Avoid mimetite coming into contact with nitric acid or potassium hydroxide — both will dissolve the mineral.

Clean mimetite with mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. Store separately from other gems.

Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Say “Be Mine” to Mimetite!

Mimetite is more than an “imitator” of pyromorphite — this stone has vibrant warm colors, fascinating properties, and rarity that makes it a staple in any gemstone collection.

Buy mimetite and other vibrant gemstones today!