Cerussite
Cerussite
Cerussite is a lead carbonate mineral in the aragonite group. The mineral gets its name from the Latin world cerussa meaning “white lead”. Specimens are prized by mineral collectors due to its V-shaped twinned forms and intergrown blades that look like snowflakes. Gemstones are rare because cerussite is soft and troublesome to facet. The stones have spectacular dispersion and are heavy due to the high specific gravity of the mineral. Some fibrous material has been fashioned into cat’s-eye cabochons.
General Information
LWUV: Inert to bright orange but can be yellow, pink, green and bluish
Cerussite Colors
-
Black -
Blue -
Brown -
Colorless -
Gray -
Green -
Red -
White -
Yellow
Alternate Names
White Lead Ore
Countries of Origin
Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Angola; Sudan; Malaysia; Kazakhstan; Portugal; Bosnia And Herzegovina; Greece; Austria; Mongolia; Korea (the Republic of); Morocco; Unknown; Luxembourg; Brazil; Guatemala; Algeria; Iraq; Jersey; Slovenia; Chile; Ecuador; Argentina; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Hungary; Republic of Kosovo; Isle of Man; Japan; Ukraine; Zambia; Taiwan (Province of China); Congo; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; Lao People's Democratic Republic; New Zealand; Canada; Turkey; Belgium; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Georgia; Peru; Turkmenistan; Germany; Yemen; Afghanistan; Eritrea; Russian Federation; Viet Nam; Czechia; United States of America; Egypt; Madagascar; Thailand; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Costa Rica; Saudi Arabia; Netherlands; Sweden; Pakistan; China; Ireland; Poland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Nigeria; Serbia; Tunisia; Kyrgyzstan; Romania; Rwanda; Uzbekistan; Switzerland; Spain; Azerbaijan; Mauritania; Guernsey; Norway; Botswana; Swaziland; Congo (the Democratic Republic of the); Mexico; Zimbabwe; Australia; Greenland; Montenegro; Tajikistan; Indonesia
History
Named by Wilhelm Karl von Haidinger in 1845.
Care
Very soft gentle care, not suitable for jewelry. Cerussite has a high sensitivity to heat. This stone contains lead and special care needs to be used. Always wash your hands after handling and do not ingest. Cut stones using a liquid medium and use a mask so not to inhale dust.