Boulangerite is a mineral composed of lead, antimony, and sulfur. Its name is derived from the French mineralogist, Charles Boulanger. The spelling of "Boulangerite" is pronounced as /bu.lɑ̃ʒ.ʁit/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "bou", is pronounced like the word "boo". The second syllable, "lan", sounds like "la" in "ladder" followed by "n". The third syllable, "gé", is pronounced like "jae". The final syllable, "rite", rhymes with "tight".
Boulangerite is a mineral compound classified as a sulfosalt, and its chemical formula is Pb5Sb4S11. It is named after the French engineer and mine surveyor, Charles Boulanger, who was the first to describe this mineral. Boulangerite typically occurs as long and slender prismatic crystals or fibrous masses that appear opaque, with a metallic luster. It has a grayish-black color and can appear with a bluish or purplish tarnish on its surface.
Boulangerite is primarily found in hydrothermal vein deposits and is commonly associated with other sulfide minerals such as galena and sphalerite. It forms in low to medium temperature conditions and is often found in ore deposits that contain lead and antimony.
The physical properties of boulangerite include a Mohs hardness of around 2.5 to 3, which means it is relatively soft compared to many other minerals. It has a high specific gravity, typically ranging between 6.3 and 6.5. Boulangerite is not known for its cleavage, but it exhibits a brittle fracture.
This mineral is of economic importance as a significant source of both lead and antimony. However, it is not widely used in commercial applications due to its rarity and the fact that its composition is often combined with other sulfosalts. Boulangerite is primarily sought after by mineral collectors and researchers interested in studying its unique crystal habits and mineralogical characteristics.
The word "Boulangerite" is derived from the name of the French mineralogist, Jules Boulanger, who first described the mineral in 1837. Boulangerite is a lead sulfosalt mineral that typically forms as long, slender crystals. It was named in honor of Boulanger for his contributions to the field of mineralogy.