Cerussite

Species

Uncommon · PbCO₃

Lead carbonate formed where galena meets carbonated water, so heavy that a specimen surprises the hand. Its adamantine lustre and extreme dispersion give cut stones more fire than diamond, and far too little hardness to wear.

Identity

Formula

PbCO₃

Chemical class

Carbonate

Mineral group

Aragonite

Also known as

White lead ore

Ore of

Lead

Crystallography

Crystal system

Orthorhombic

Habits

Tabular, Prismatic, Granular

Fracture

Conchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

3

Density

6.58 g/cm³

Luster

Adamantine

Colors

colorless, white, gray, pale yellow, black

Streak

white

Transparency

Transparent, Translucent

Geology

Origins

Hydrothermal, Sedimentary

Associated minerals

Galena, Malachite, Smithsonite, Pyromorphite

Found in

Oxidized zone (gossan)

Geography

Namibia, Australia, Morocco

Classification

Rarity

Uncommon

Gem quality

Yes

Sources

• M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
• J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Cerussite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
• Cerussite. Gemdat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).

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