The chemical formula of mineral Cerussite is indicated by PbCO3 or Lead Carbonate. Cerussite is actually a Carbonate mineral. The name Cerussite was actually derived from the Latin word cerussa, which means white lead. Mineral Cerussite is also known as Horn Silver or Lead Spar. Mineral Cerussite was discovered in Veneto, Italy. This name of Cerussite mineral is also synonymous with White Lead Ore. Cerussite is known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. Cerussite mineral is also known as minor ore of lead, which can be seen having an interesting image when evaluated under an ore polarizing light microscope. This Cerussite mineral also belongs to the Aragonite Group of minerals as classified in optical mineralogy. This group of minerals comprises those crystals that are well known for twinning with commonly twinned members like witherite, aragonite and strontianite. According to some discoveries in the field of optical mineralogy, the high luster of mineral Cerussite in reflected light of the polarized microscope is actually due to its high lead content. The index of refraction of mineral Cerussite can be also raised to just over 2.07 by the lead content of the mineral. The increased specific gravity of mineral Cerussite is also brought about by its lead content. Cerussite mineral is only one of those transparent minerals with very high specific gravity. Cerussite, as ddescribed in optical mineralogy, is actually over six and a half times as dense as water. But most rocks and minerals are only found average around three times the density of water.
Mineral Cerussite is actually considered as a popular mineral in ones mineral collections. Cerussite mineral is very famous in the field of optical mineralogy by its amazing crystals that are usually twinned, with high density and with splendid and fascinating sparkle that can be found clearly exhibited under petrographic polarizing light microscope. Most crystallographers usually appreciate the sparkle and density of mineral Cerussite. But what get them excited are the wonderfully twinned crystals of mineral Cerussite. Some geometrically intricate structures and poked star shapes, which are simply fascinating and amazing, can be actually formed by this mineral Cerussite. Twinned crystals of Cerussite as commonly wonderfully exhibited under petrographic polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. Cerussite can be also found having singular twins that are considered interesting. There are three types of twins that can be found exhibited by Cerussite mineral that can be found more clearly visible under polarizing light microscope. These twins as described in optical mineralogy are, the cyclic twins, the elbow or chevron shaped twins and lastly the reticulated twins. Cyclic twins are often formed as star shapes with six spokes extending from the star. The elbow or chevron shaped twins are the most common and are generally seen on most specimens. The reticulated twins on the other hand are classics and they are commonly found forming complex interconnected beams of crystals that are usually splendidly exhibited under petrographic polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. So intricate are these Cerussite mineral specimens where they appear to have been constructed. These Cerussite minerals are truly considered as awesome mineralogical wonder in the field of optical mineralogy. This twinned Cerussite mineral is actually considered a must have for most mineral collectors who are very fond of collecting twinned mineral crystals.
Mineral Cerussite is commonly found colorless or white, also gray, yellow or blue green color under polarizing microscope. Colorless mineral sections commonly allow the whole constituent of white light to pass through making the mineral not pleochroic even when viewed between crossed nicols of polarizing light microscope. Cerussite mineral commonly exhibits adamantine to almost submetallic and sometimes also greasy luster in reflected light of geological polarizing microscope. Cerussite mineral shows cleavage that is usually not as good as the cleavage of the other carbonate minerals. But still, the cleavage found exhibited by Cerussite is also considered good in only one direction. Cerussite is commonly found showing a conchoidal fracture under petrographic polarizing light microscope. The specific gravity measure of the mineral Cerussite is usually found 6.5+ grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered very dense for a generally transparent mineral. The hardness measure of mineral Cerussite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually found ranging from 3 to 3.5. When Cerussite mineral specimens are rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate, they are commonly found leaving a white or colorless streak.
Most Cerussite mineral crystals are found transparent to translucent in appearance. The crystal habit of the mineral Cerussite, as described in optical mineralogy, is commonly found twinned. A single Cerussite crystal can be found prismatic with blunted pyramidal terminations. Cerussite minerals can be also found as well-formed coarse size crystals, which can be splendidly exhibited under polarizing light microscope for geologists. Some Cerussite mineral specimens are also found showing acicular white crystals, which are very interesting to view under petrographic polarizing microscope. Cerussite minerals can be also found with reniform, earthy and sometimes crusty varieties as described in optical mineralogy. According to some findings about minerals in optical mineralogy, the Cerussite mineral crystals can be also found as reticulate or fibers or columns cross in net like crystalline growths that are commonly found exhibiting a nice and fascinating microscope image under polarized light microscopes. Sometimes, Cerussite crystals are formed having reticulated growths with plates that are intersecting at about 60 degree angles, which can be seen clearly visible when this specimen type is evaluated with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes.
In optical mineralogy field, mineral Cerussite is commonly found having very high refractive index of about 2.07, which can be seen clearly exhibited when evaluated with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Prismatic crystals of Cerussite minerals can be also found striated lengthwise when examined under polarized microscopes. Cerussite minerals are also found having biaxial negative figure when viewed under petrographic polarizing microscopes used in optical mineralogy. It has a maximum birefringence of about 0.2730 that can be seen when the mineral is evaluated under polarizing light microscope. Cerussite also exhibits a relatively strong dispersion in transmitted light of geological polarizing microscopes. Cerussite minerals are also found not radioactive after several chemical tests made. Cerussite minerals are actually soluble and usually found effervescence in dilute nitric acid. This mineral species also shows an interesting reaction when evaluated using the blowpipe test. Mineral Cerussite is also commonly found fluorescent and usually exhibiting cream white to yellow in short wave ultraviolet light. Since mineral Cerussite is known having lead element in its chemical composition, it is highly recommended to wash hands after handling the specimen. Also avoid inhaling dust when breaking the material.
The best field indicators of mineral Cerussite usually include its heaviness, luster, its crystal habit and twins and also its high index of refraction. Mineral Cerussite is commonly associated with several other interesting minerals such as calcite, barite, anglesite and some other secondary minerals and most especially mineral galena. Mineral Cerussite is commonly found in the oxidation zones of lead deposits, which are usually associated with mineral galena. Some mineral specimens show Cerussite crusts around a galena core as the oxidation process occur at the exact point of time. Mineral Cerussite can actually make very nice associations with mineral galena and also to the other interesting lead mineral called anglesite, which is a yellow colored lead sulfate under polarized microscope. Mineral Cerussite can be found at the secondary weathered zones of lead ore deposits. Cerussite minerals are commonly considered as secondary mineral, which forms from mineral galena through a surface alteration process. This usually happens when veins of granular and more permeable galena will penetrate limestones and dolomites, the known carbonate sedimentary rocks. Mineral Cerussite can be also found in the oxidized zones of base metal deposits. Mineral Cerussite notably occurs at some areas like Australia, Congo, Germany, Morocco, and Tsumeb in Namibia and also in Arizona in the United States.
