Cerusita
Cerusita is a mineral with formula PbCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Les Dalles Mine, Mibladen, Midelt, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos.
Description
Small piece with prismatic-tabular crystals in stepped growth. Very good thumbnail.
About Cerusita
Cerussite is a lead carbonate that crystallises in the orthorhombic system and typically forms in the oxidised zone of galena deposits. At Mibladen it commonly occurs as pyramidal crystals or twins, often with yellow colour due to impurities or inclusions, and intense fluorescence is characteristic of specimens with high lead content and well-ordered structures.
About the locality
Mibladen is one of the most prolific cerussite localities in the world. Situated in Morocco's lead-zinc mineralised belt, it has produced for decades specimens sought by collectors for their transparency, crystallisation, and associations with baryte, galena or anglesite. Extraction has been both industrial and artisanal, with zones of workings that continue to yield high-quality pieces.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0249
- Composition
- PbCO₃
- Name
- Cerusita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Cresta Montis
- Matrix
- Matriz oscura
- Mine
- Les Dalles Mine
- District / Municipality
- Mibladen
- Province
- Midelt
- Region
- Drâa-Tafilalet
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 3 x 2.5 x 2
- Ex-collection
- Antonio Barahona
- Etymology
- From the Latin "cerussa", the Roman name for white lead carbonate.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Andersonita — España
- Andradita (Melanita) — Marruecos
- Apatito — Marruecos
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul (Toralina)) — España
- Aragonito — Italia