Name/Title
CerussiteEntry/Object ID
2009.62.84Description
Chemical Composition: PbCO3
Crystal System: Orthorhombic System
Description: Common Name: Cerussite
Chemistry: PbCO3, Lead Carbonate
Group: Carbonates
Location: Pocos, South Africa
Description: Small specimen with twinned crystals, translucent gray in color on a small gray course matrix.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually colorless or white, also gray, yellow, and even blue-green.
Luster is adamantine to almost submetallic and sometimes greasy.
Transparency Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m.
Crystal Habits twinning is common and expected (see above), single crystals can be prismatic with blunted pyramidal terminations. Some specimens show acicular white crystals. Also, reniform, earthy, and crusty varieties are found.
Cleavage is not as good as other carbonates, but still considered good in one direction.
Fracture is conchoidal and brittle.
Hardness is 3-3.5.
Specific Gravity is 6.5+ (very dense for a generally transparent mineral).
Streak is white or colorless.
Other Characteristics: Refractive index of 2.07 (very high) and prismatic crystals are striated lengthwise.
Associated Minerals are barite, calcite, anglesite, and other secondary minerals and especially galena.
Best Field Indicators are its crystal habit (especially twins), heaviness, high refraction and luster.
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 3 Calcite
Luster: Vitreous
Occurrence: Cerussite is found in the oxidation zone of lead deposits usually associated with galena.
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 6.5
Streak: white
Variety: Cerussite is a minor ore of lead. It has a very high luster due mostly to the lead content. Just as leaded crystal glass sparkles more brilliantly because of its lead content, so too does cerussite. The lead raises the index of refraction of cerussite to just over 2.07. The lead is also responsible for its increased specific gravity. Cerussite has one of the highest densities for a transparent mineral. It is over six and a half times as dense as water. Most rocks and minerals average only around three times the density of water.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Height
3/4 inWidth
1-1/2 inLength
1-3/4 inWeight
0.25 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
FS-9Room
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumDate
August 5, 2023