cerussiet

Cerussite is a mineral composed of lead carbonate, with the chemical formula PbCO3. It is an important ore of lead. Cerussite is known for its remarkable brilliance and adamantine luster, often displaying a wide range of colors including white, gray, and colorless, though it can also be tinged with yellow, blue, or green due to impurities. Its crystal system is orthorhombic, and it commonly forms prismatic or tabular crystals, often twinned into star-shaped or penetration twins. These crystals are typically transparent to translucent.

The hardness of cerussite on the Mohs scale is between 3 and 3.5, making it relatively soft. Its density is quite high, around 6.5, due to the presence of lead. Cerussite typically forms in the oxidized zones of lead deposits, often found associated with other lead minerals such as galena and anglesite. It is a secondary mineral, meaning it forms after the primary ore has been altered by weathering processes. Notable occurrences include Tsumeb in Namibia, Broken Hill in Australia, and various locations in Mexico and the United States. Due to its attractive appearance and clarity, well-formed cerussite crystals are sometimes collected by mineral enthusiasts.