dIn analogy to PbS-Sb2S3-minerals nanowires of synthetic boulangerite (Pb5Sb4S11) with diameters ranging from 100 to 500 nm and lengths up to 100 mum were crystallized from the melt. In most cases these nanowires are arranged like bundles and microtubes, which are inspected by scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of these materials was analysed by electron microprobe and transmission electron microscope adapted energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The lattice parameters of natural and synthetic boulangerite nanomaterials were determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure was examined by means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy, whereby the relation between structure and morphology was studied and the material was checked regarding cation ordering. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.