Cerussite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameCerussite
Chemical FormulaPbCO₃
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemorthorhombic
Lusteradamantine
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {110}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity6.55
Colorswhite, grey, brown
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityMibladen Mine, Mibladene (Mibladén; Mibladan; Miblanden), Upper Moulouya lead district, Midelt, Khénifra Province, Meknès-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Mineral Groupcarbonates
Usesminor lead ore, collector's mineral
Associated Mineralsquartz, baryte, galena, anglesite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features a large, complexly crystallized cerussite aggregate, appearing light brown/tan in daylight and fluorescing a vibrant yellow under ultraviolet light. It is set on a dark matrix with smaller white/clear crystals and reddish-brown bladed crystals.
Geological Context
Cerussite is a secondary lead carbonate mineral that forms in the oxidized zone of lead-bearing ore deposits, typically as an alteration product of galena (PbS) in the presence of carbonate-rich waters.
