TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Cerusita

Cerusita is a mineral with formula PbCO₃, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Filón Sur, Tharsis, Huelva, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2018.

Cerusita from Filón Sur, Tharsis, Huelva, Andalucía, España — Terrium

Description

Thumbnail of cerussite as a droplet on earthy-limonitic matrix.

About Cerusita

A lead carbonate that commonly forms prismatic, tabular or acicular crystals. It is usually translucent, with vitreous lustre and colours ranging from colourless to grey. It is common in the oxidation zones of lead deposits.

About the locality

The Filón Sur at Tharsis, noted for its historic mining, produced excellent cerussites in cavities rich in iron oxides. At present, the extraction of aesthetic specimens is difficult due to the degradation of the deposit.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0645
Composition
PbCO₃
Name
Cerusita
Group
Carbonatos
Category
Cavella
Matrix
Matriz limonítica
Mine
Filón Sur
District / Municipality
Tharsis
Province
Huelva
Region
Andalucía
Country
España
Size (cm)
3.5 x 2 x 15
Weight
14 g
Acquired
2018
Ex-collection
Diego Navarro
Etymology
From the Latin "cerussa" ('white lead'), in reference to the historical use of the mineral as a pigment.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

Related specimens

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