Macphersonite

Macphersonite is trimorphous with leadhillite and susannite.

Key (1996) described a 5 cm specimen from the collection of the late F. John Barlow (1914-2004; catalogue # 3308) consisting of three corroded, intergrown crystals of macphersonite with minor etch cavities containing an unidentified white crystalline crust. Unfortunately, the means of identification (of the macphersonite) was not disclosed.

According to Gebhard (1999), "… during the 1980s", three specimens of water-warn macphersonite were found "… somewhere between 20 and 30 level". They were initially mistaken for leadhillite, with a characteristic pearly lustre and grey colour. On analysis, however, they were found to be macphersonite.

Gebhard (1999), also stated that a single well-crystallised specimen, supposedly of leadhillite with kegelite, was purchased by American dealer Charlie Key in 1996, who sold it on to Gebhard; it turned out to be light bluish-grey crystals of macphersonite which Gebhard (1999) considers to be best of species.

Notwithstanding these reports, there is no record of macphersonite from Tsumeb in the peer-reviewed literature, and no published analytical data supporting its identification. Questionable status is therefore retained pending verification.