.Cerussite Mineral Facts:

Chemical Formula: PbCO₃
83.5% lead by weight

Colors: Colorless to white, but also gray when discolored by decomposition products.

Hardness: 3.0 to 3.5

Density: 6.5
The density is high because of the large lead content. 

Cleavage: Distinct in two directions.

Crystallography: Orthorhombic.
Cerussite forms prismatic crystals, variously modified. Twin crystals common, often in cruciform or radiating arrangements. Crystals sometimes show faces of the prism, pyramid, and dome.

Luster:. Adamantine to vitreous. Can range from fully transparent to almost opaque.

Optics: (Refractive Index):  a = 1.803; b = 2.07; y = 2.078
 

Composition, Structure and Associated Minerals:
Cerussite is an important and widely distributed lead ore of secondary origin, formed by the oxidation of galena in the presence of carbonated waters. It occurs in crystals or in granular crystalline aggregates; fibrous; granular massive; compact; earthy.

Identification and Diagnostics
Cerussite is not easily confused with other minerals. It is well characterized by its high specific gravity, its reaction for lead, and is distinguished from the sulphate (anglesite) by effervescence with hot acids.

Occurrence, Localities and Origins:
The mineral occurs at all localities at which other lead compounds are found, since it is often produced from these latter by the action of the atmosphere and atmospheric water. It is, therefore, usually found in the upper portions of veins  associated with galena, anglesite, sphalerite, smithsonite, silver ore, etc.

Cerussite crystals of great beauty are found in many of the lead-producing districts of Europe and also at Phoenixville, Penn.; near Union Bridge, in Maryland; at Austin's Mines, Wythe Co., Virginia, and occasionally in the lead mines of Wisconsin and Missouri. In the West it occurs at Leadville, Colo.; at the Flagstaff and other mines in Utah (Fig. 123), and at several different mines in Arizona.

Notable worldwide localities for its occurrence are Ems in Nassau; Mies, Bohemia; Nerchinsk, Siberia; Broken Hill, New South Wales; various districts in Mexico, etc.

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