Home > Mexico III Ojuela I – January 12 > MS1733 Cerussite (black!)

Cerussite (black!) - Sold


Cerussite is simple lead carbonate. The mineral has orthorhombic symmetry, although the mineral often twins to form pseudohexagonal crystals. The name cerussite derives from the Latin cerussa, an ancient name for the compound. Cerussite is rather common at Ojuela, but much of it (and the associated argentiferous galena) is smelted for its lead and silver content. Relatively little Ojuela cerussite enters the mineral collecting market.

Cerussite here forms lustrous black pseudohexagonal dipyramids to 5 mm. The black color is from inclusions, which have not been identified. The matrix is altered pyrite, with a brown skin of iron oxides. Quite nice for Ojuela and different from the colorless-white crystals typical of the species.