Home > Ojuela! – June 8 > MS1210 Cerussite

Cerussite - Sold


Cerussite is simple lead carbonate. The mineral has orthorhombic symmetry, and often twins to form pseudohexagonal crystals. The name cerussite derives from the Latin cerussa, an ancient name for the compound. Cerussite is not especially rare at Ojuela, but it usually forms sand in limestone pockets, and such ore contains significant silver. Miners typically sell galena and cerussite to the smelter, and consequently rather few specimens are preserved from this locality.

This cerussite specimen dates to 2013, when a prolific find was brought to market. This specimen features a 13 mm pseudohexagonal crystal intergrown with smaller and grayer crystals. An attractive example, especially for this locality.