Specimen #855

Name: Cerussite

Type: Micromount

Locality: Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size:

Weight:

Acquired: 2008-11-02

Source: Ian Heales Collection

Label: N

Comment: Cerussite is a popular collection mineral. It is famous for its great sparkle, great density and amazing twinned crystals. Cerussite is a minor ore of lead. It has a very high luster due mostly to the lead content. Just as leaded crystal glass sparkles more brilliantly because of its lead content, so too does cerussite. The lead raises the index or refraction of cerussite to just over 2.07. The lead is also responsible for its increased specific gravity. Cerussite has one of the highest densities for a transparent mineral. It is over six and a half times as dense as water. Most rocks and minerals average only around three times the density of water.

Minerals: Cerussite (PbCO₃)

There is one picture on file

M00855-01.jpg:

Cerrusite, Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia - Magnification: 15X, FOV: 9.0 x 6.0 mm