Cerussite
Real mineral · 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
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, blue, green
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
Geology
- Origins
- hydrothermal, sedimentary
- Host rocks
- oxidised lead ore
- Associated minerals
- Galena, Malachite, Smithsonite, Pyromorphite
- Geography
- Namibia, Australia, Morocco
Classification
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
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