Cerussite

Big Photo

Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
7.32 carats
© Rarestone.com

Cerussite is named after Latin "cerussa" meaning "white lead", an ancient term for artificial lead carbonate.

Cerussite is usually transparent to translucent, colourless or white, sometimes has gray, brownish or greenish tint. The mineral occurs as compact granular masses, and sometimes in fibrous forms. Very bright crystals are often.

Cerussite is frequently twinned: elbow- or chevron-shaped twins, cyclic twins and reticulated twins. Three crystals are often twinned together to produce six-rayed stellate groups with the individual crystals crossing at a 60°angle.

Cerussite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Cerussite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Cerussite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:3.71 cts
Heaviest:34.97 cts
Average:14.21 cts
Total photos:6
Do you have a larger Cerussite? Why not upload a photo?
3.71ct to 6.84ct6.84ct to 9.96ct9.96ct to 13.09ct13.09ct to 16.21ct16.21ct to 19.34ct19.34ct to 22.47ct22.47ct to 25.59ct25.59ct to 28.72ct28.72ct to 31.84ct31.84ct to 34.97ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
PbCO
 
3
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Physical Properties of Cerussite
Mohs Hardness3 to 3.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity6.46 to 6.57
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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TenacityBrittle
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) Very brittleMore from other references
Cleavage QualityGood
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Heat SensitivityHigh
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Cerussite
Refractive Index1.803 to 2.078
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterBiaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.274
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references
PleochroismAbsent
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Dispersion0.055
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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ChatoyancyYes
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Colour
Colour (General)White, brownish, gray, black, blue-green, colourless
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreAdamantine
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Yellow, pink, green, bluish
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Fluorescence (Short Wave UV)Common pale blue to green
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Inert to bright yellow orange
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Crystallography of Cerussite
Crystal SystemOrthorhombic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitTabular, columnar
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Geological Environment
Where found:It is found in the oxidation zone of lead deposits, usually in association with galena and other ore minerals.
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Further Information
Mineral information:Cerussite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Namibia
 
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 397
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