Cerussite
| Colour | White, Clear, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3 to 3.5 |
| Lustre | Adamantine, vitreous, resinous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Good [110] and [021] |
| Fracture | Brittle conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Lead carbonate: PbCO 3 |
| Specific gravity | 6.53–6.57 |
What is Cerussite?
Cerussite (also known as lead carbonate or white lead ore) is a mineral consisting of lead carbonate with the chemical formula PbCO3, and is an important ore of lead. The name is from the Latin cerussa, white lead. Cerussa nativa was mentioned by Conrad Gessner in 1565, and in 1832 F. S. Beudant applied the name céruse to the mineral, whilst the present form, cerussite, is due to W. Haidinger (1845). Miners' names in early use were lead-spar and white-lead-ore.
How to identify Cerussite
- Lustre: Adamantine, vitreous, resinous.
- Hardness: Mohs 3 to 3.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Cerussite in different forms
Stones often confused with Cerussite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Cerussite?
Cerussite is Mohs 3 to 3.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Cerussite?
Cerussite is typically white, clear, gray (Colorless, white, gray, blue, or green).