Cerussite: Difference between revisions

Cerussite
Cerussite
General
Category	Carbonate mineral
Formula; (repeating unit)	Lead carbonate: PbCO3
IMA symbol	Cer
Strunz classification	5.AB.15
Crystal system	Orthorhombic
Crystal class	Dipyramidal (mmm) ; H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space group	Pnma [62]
Identification
Color	Colorless, white, gray, blue, or green
Crystal habit	Massive granular, reticulate, tabular to equant crystals
Twinning	Simple or cyclic contact twins
Cleavage	Good [110] and [021]
Fracture	Brittle conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness	3 to 3.5
Luster	Adamantine, vitreous, resinous
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent to translucent
Specific gravity	6.53–6.57
Optical properties	Biaxial (−)
Refractive index	nα = 1.803, nβ = 2.074, nγ = 2.076
Birefringence	δ = 0.273
Other characteristics	May fluoresce yellow under LW UV
References

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Cerussite (also known as lead carbonate or white lead ore) is a mineral consisting of lead carbonate with the chemical formula PbCO₃, and is an important ore of lead. The name is from the Latin cerussa, white lead. Cerussa nativa was mentioned by Conrad Gessner in 1565, and in 1832 F. S. Beudant applied the name céruse to the mineral, whilst the present form, cerussite, is due to W. Haidinger (1845). Miners' names in early use were lead-spar and white-lead-ore.^[5]

Cerussite crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system and is isomorphous with aragonite. Like aragonite it is very frequently twinned, the compound crystals being pseudo-hexagonal in form. Three crystals are usually twinned together on two faces of the prism, producing six-rayed stellate groups with the individual crystals intercrossing at angles of nearly 60°. Crystals are of frequent occurrence and they usually have very bright and smooth faces. The mineral also occurs in compact granular masses, and sometimes in fibrous forms. The mineral is usually colorless or white, sometimes grey or greenish in tint and varies from transparent to translucent with an adamantine lustre. It is very brittle, and has a conchoidal fracture. It has a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.75 and a specific gravity of 6.5. A variety containing 7% of zinc carbonate, replacing lead carbonate, is known as iglesiasite, from Iglesias in Sardinia, where it is found.^[5]

The mineral may be readily recognized by its characteristic twinning, in conjunction with the adamantine lustre and high specific gravity. It dissolves with effervescence in dilute nitric acid. A blowpipe test will cause it to fuse very readily, and gives indications for lead.^[5]

Finely crystallized specimens have been obtained from the Friedrichssegen mine in Lahnstein in Rhineland-Palatinate, Johanngeorgenstadt in Saxony, Stříbro in the Czech Republic, Phoenixville in Pennsylvania, Broken Hill in New South Wales, and several other localities. Delicate acicular crystals of considerable length were found long ago in the Pentire Glaze mine near St Minver in Cornwall.^[5] Cerussite is often found in considerable quantities, and has a lead content of up to 77.5%.^[6]

Lead(II) carbonate is practically insoluble in neutral water (solubility product [Pb²⁺][CO₃²⁻] ≈ 1.5×10⁻¹³ at 25 °C), but will dissolve in dilute acids.

Commercial uses

"White lead" is the key ingredient in (now discontinued) lead paints. Ingestion of lead-based paint chips is the most common cause of lead poisoning in children.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Both "white lead" and lead acetate have been used in cosmetics throughout history, though this practice has ceased in Western countries.^[10]

Gallery

Crystals of cerussite, a secondary lead ore
At 890 carats, the Light of the Desert (located at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum) is the world's largest faceted cerussite.^[11]
Colorless cerussite crystal that has been included by wisps of light green malachite
Fine example of reticulated growth

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Spencer, Leonard James (1911). "Cerussite". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 762.

^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
^ Mineralienatlas
^ Cerussite. Handbook of Mineralogy. (PDF) Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
^ Cerussite. Mindat. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Spencer 1911.
^ "Mineral Information Service" (PDF). California Division of Mines. November 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2016.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ "Lead Poisoning in Children". Archived from the original on September 25, 2006.
^ "California Poison Control System: Lead Poisoning". Archived from the original on 2007-01-14.
^ Ellis, M. R.; Kane, K. Y. (August 2000). "Lightening the lead load in children". Am Fam Physician. 62 (3): 545–54, 559–60. PMID 10950212.
^ Gunn, Fenja. (1973). The Artificial Face: A History of Cosmetics. — as cited in Leisure Activities of an 18th Century Lady and Reading Our Lips: The History of Lipstick Regulation in Western Seats of Power Archived 2006-09-05 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Iconic: Light of the Desert". 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2012-07-25.

External links

Mineral galleries

[1] Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.

[2] Mineralienatlas

[3] Cerussite. Handbook of Mineralogy. (PDF) Retrieved on 2011-10-10.

[4] Cerussite. Mindat. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.

[FOOTNOTESpencer1911-5] Spencer 1911.

[LeadAmount-6] "Mineral Information Service" (PDF). California Division of Mines. November 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2016.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[7] "Lead Poisoning in Children". Archived from the original on September 25, 2006.

[8] "California Poison Control System: Lead Poisoning". Archived from the original on 2007-01-14.

[9] Ellis, M. R.; Kane, K. Y. (August 2000). "Lightening the lead load in children". Am Fam Physician. 62 (3): 545–54, 559–60. PMID 10950212.

[10] Gunn, Fenja. (1973). The Artificial Face: A History of Cosmetics. — as cited in Leisure Activities of an 18th Century Lady and Reading Our Lips: The History of Lipstick Regulation in Western Seats of Power Archived 2006-09-05 at the Wayback Machine

[11] "Iconic: Light of the Desert". 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2012-07-25.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Lead carbonate mineral}}
+{{Distinguish|Sericite}}
 {{Infobox mineral
-| name        = '''Cerussite'''
+| name        = Cerussite
 | category    = [[Carbonate mineral]]
+| image       = Cerussite - Nakhlak mine, Anarak, Esfahan, Iran.jpg
-| boxwidth    =
-| boxbgcolor  =
+| imagesize   = 280px
-| image       = Cerusite Les Frages.jpg
+| caption     =
-| imagesize   = 200px
-| caption     = Cerussite from Les Farges mine, France
 | formula     = Lead carbonate: PbCO<sub>3</sub>
+| IMAsymbol=Cer<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Warr|first=L.N.|date=2021|title=IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols|journal=Mineralogical Magazine|volume=85|issue=3|pages=291–320|doi=10.1180/mgm.2021.43|bibcode=2021MinM...85..291W|s2cid=235729616|doi-access=free}}</ref>
 | molweight   =
 | strunz      = 5.AB.15
 | system      = [[Orthorhombic]]
 | class       = Dipyramidal (mmm) <br/>[[H-M symbol]]: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
-| symmetry    = ''Pmcn''
+| symmetry    = ''Pnma [62]''
 | color       = Colorless, white, gray, blue, or green
 | habit       = Massive granular, reticulate, tabular to equant crystals
@@ Line 21: / Line 22: @@
 | luster      = Adamantine, vitreous, resinous
 | refractive  = n<sub>α</sub> = 1.803, n<sub>β</sub> = 2.074, n<sub>γ</sub> = 2.076
-| opticalprop = Biaxial (-)
+| opticalprop = Biaxial (−)
 | birefringence = δ = 0.273
 | pleochroism =
@@ Line 33: / Line 34: @@
 | diaphaneity = Transparent to translucent
 | other       = May fluoresce yellow under LW UV
-| references  = <ref>[https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Cerussite Mineralienatlas]</ref><ref>[http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/cerussite.pdf Cerussite]. Handbook of Mineralogy. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2011-10-10.</ref><ref>[http://www.mindat.org/min-934.html Cerussite]. Mindat. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.</ref>
+| references  = <ref>[https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Cerussite Mineralienatlas]</ref><ref>[https://rruff.info/doclib/hom/cerussite.pdf Cerussite]. Handbook of Mineralogy. (PDF) Retrieved on 2011-10-10.</ref><ref>[https://www.mindat.org/min-934.html Cerussite]. Mindat. Retrieved on 2011-10-10.</ref>
 }}
-'''Cerussite''' (also known as '''lead carbonate''' or '''[[white lead]] ore''') is a [[mineral]] consisting of [[lead carbonate]] (PbCO<sub>3</sub>), and an important [[ore]] of lead. The name is from the [[Latin]] ''cerussa'', white lead. ''Cerussa nativa'' was mentioned by [[Conrad Gessner]] in 1565, and in 1832 [[François Sulpice Beudant|F. S. Beudant]] applied the name cruise to the mineral, whilst the present form, cerussite, is due to [[W. Haidinger]] (1845). Miners' names in early use were lead-spar and white-lead-ore.
+'''Cerussite''' (also known as '''lead carbonate''' or '''white lead ore''') is a [[mineral]] consisting of [[lead carbonate]] with the chemical formula PbCO<sub>3</sub>, and is an important [[ore]] of lead. The name is from the [[Latin]] ''cerussa'', [[white lead]]. ''Cerussa nativa'' was mentioned by [[Conrad Gessner]] in 1565, and in 1832 [[François Sulpice Beudant|F. S. Beudant]] applied the name ''céruse'' to the mineral, whilst the present form, cerussite, is due to [[W. Haidinger]] (1845). Miners' names in early use were lead-spar and white-lead-ore.{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
-Cerussite [[crystal]]lizes in the [[orthorhombic]] system and is isomorphous with [[aragonite]]. Like aragonite it is very frequently [[crystal twinning|twinned]], the compound crystals being pseudo-hexagonal in form. Three crystals are usually twinned together on two faces of the prism, producing six-rayed stellate groups with the individual crystals intercrossing at angles of nearly 60°. Crystals are of frequent occurrence and they usually have very bright and smooth faces. The mineral also occurs in compact granular masses, and sometimes in fibrous forms. The mineral is usually colorless or white, sometimes grey or greenish in tint and varies from transparent to translucent with an adamantine lustre. It is very brittle, and has a [[conchoidal fracture]]. It has a [[Mohs hardness]] of 3 to 3.75 and a [[specific gravity]] of 6.5. A variety containing 7% of zinc carbonate, replacing lead carbonate, is known as iglesiasite, from Iglesias in [[Sardinia]], where it is found.
+Cerussite [[crystal]]lizes in the [[orthorhombic crystal system]] and is isomorphous with [[aragonite]]. Like aragonite it is very frequently [[crystal twinning|twinned]], the compound crystals being pseudo-hexagonal in form. Three crystals are usually twinned together on two faces of the prism, producing six-rayed stellate groups with the individual crystals intercrossing at angles of nearly 60°. Crystals are of frequent occurrence and they usually have very bright and smooth faces. The mineral also occurs in compact granular masses, and sometimes in fibrous forms. The mineral is usually colorless or white, sometimes grey or greenish in tint and varies from transparent to translucent with an adamantine lustre. It is very brittle, and has a [[conchoidal fracture]]. It has a [[Mohs hardness]] of 3 to 3.75 and a [[specific gravity]] of 6.5. A variety containing 7% of zinc carbonate, replacing lead carbonate, is known as iglesiasite, from Iglesias in [[Sardinia]], where it is found.{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
-The mineral may be readily recognized by its characteristic twinning, in conjunction with the adamantine lustre and high specific gravity. It dissolves with effervescence in dilute [[nitric acid]]. A blowpipe test will cause it to fuse very readily, and gives indications for lead.
+The mineral may be readily recognized by its characteristic twinning, in conjunction with the adamantine lustre and high specific gravity. It dissolves with effervescence in dilute [[nitric acid]]. A [[blowpipe (tool)|blowpipe test]] will cause it to fuse very readily, and gives indications for lead.{{sfn|Spencer|1911}}
-Finely crystallized specimens have been obtained from the [[Friedrichssegen]] mine in [[Lahnstein]] in [[ Rhineland-Palatinate]], [[Johanngeorgenstadt]] in [[Saxony]], [[Stříbro]] in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Phoenixville]] in [[Pennsylvania]], [[Broken Hill, New South Wales|Broken Hill in New South Wales]], and several other localities. Delicate [[Acicular (crystal habit)|acicular]] crystals of considerable length were found long ago in the Pentire Glaze mine near [[St Minver]] in [[Cornwall]]. Cerussite is often found in considerable quantities, and has a lead content of up to 77.5%.<ref name="LeadAmount">{{cite web | url=ftp://ftp.conservation.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/cg/1949/02_11.pdf | title=Mineral Information Service | publisher=California Division of Mines | date=November 1949 | accessdate=4 June 2016 | pages=2}}</ref>
+Finely crystallized specimens have been obtained from the [[Lahnstein#Friedrichssegen|Friedrichssegen]] mine in [[Lahnstein]] in [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], [[Johanngeorgenstadt]] in [[Saxony]], [[Stříbro]] in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Phoenixville]] in [[Pennsylvania]], [[Broken Hill, New South Wales|Broken Hill in New South Wales]], and several other localities. Delicate [[Acicular (crystal habit)|acicular]] crystals of considerable length were found long ago in the Pentire Glaze mine near [[St Minver]] in [[Cornwall]].{{sfn|Spencer|1911}} Cerussite is often found in considerable quantities, and has a lead content of up to 77.5%.<ref name="LeadAmount">{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.conservation.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/cg/1949/02_11.pdf |title=Mineral Information Service |publisher=California Division of Mines |date=November 1949 |accessdate=4 June 2016 |pages=2 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 Lead(II) carbonate is practically insoluble in neutral water (solubility product [Pb<sup>2+</sup>][CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2−</sup>]&nbsp;≈&nbsp;1.5×10<sup>−13</sup> at 25&nbsp;°C), but will dissolve in dilute acids.
 ==Commercial uses==
-"[[White lead]]" is the key ingredient in (now discontinued) [[lead paint]]s. Ingestion of lead-based paint chips is the most common cause of [[lead poisoning]] in children.<ref>Lightening the Lead Load in Children as cited in [http://familydoctor.org/617.xml Lead Poisoning in Children] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925103949/http://familydoctor.org/617.xml |date=September 25, 2006 }}, and [http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html California Poison Control System: Lead Poisoning]</ref>
+"[[White lead]]" is the key ingredient in (now discontinued) [[lead paint]]s. Ingestion of lead-based paint chips is the most common cause of [[lead poisoning]] in children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lead Poisoning in Children |url=http://familydoctor.org/617.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925103949/http://familydoctor.org/617.xml |archive-date=September 25, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html |title=California Poison Control System: Lead Poisoning |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114141758/http://www.calpoison.org/public/lead.html |archive-date=2007-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Lightening the lead load in children |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10950212/ |journal=Am Fam Physician |date=August 2000 |pmid=10950212|last1=Ellis |first1=M. R. |last2=Kane |first2=K. Y. |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=545-54, 559-60 }}</ref>
-Both "white lead" and [[Lead(II) acetate|lead acetate]] have been used in cosmetics throughout history, though this practice has ceased in Western countries.<ref>Gunn, Fenja. (1973). The Artificial Face: A History of Cosmetics. — as cited in [http://www.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/leisure/leadfacepowder.html Leisure Activities of an 18th Century Lady] and [http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/788/Schaffer06.pdf Reading Our Lips: The History of Lipstick Regulation in Western Seats of Power]</ref>
+Both "white lead" and [[Lead(II) acetate|lead acetate]] have been used in cosmetics throughout history, though this practice has ceased in Western countries.<ref>Gunn, Fenja. (1973). The Artificial Face: A History of Cosmetics. — as cited in [http://websites.umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/leisure/leadfacepowder.html Leisure Activities of an 18th Century Lady] and [http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/788/Schaffer06.pdf Reading Our Lips: The History of Lipstick Regulation in Western Seats of Power] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905135116/http://leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/788/Schaffer06.pdf |date=2006-09-05}}</ref>
+==Gallery==
-==Cerussite images==
-<gallery>
+<gallery widths="145px" heights="130px">
-Image:cerussite09.jpg|Crystals of cerussite, a secondary lead ore
+File:cerussite09.jpg|[[Crystal]]s of cerussite, a secondary lead ore
+File:Light of the Desert.jpg|At 890 carats, the [[Light of the Desert]] (located at [[Toronto]]'s [[Royal Ontario Museum]]) is the world's largest faceted cerussite.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iconic: Light of the Desert |date=2009-11-26 |url=https://www.rom.on.ca/en/collections-research/rom-channel/iconic-light-desert |accessdate=2012-07-25}}</ref>
-Image:Cerussite, Yale Geology.jpg|As crystalline ore
+File:Cerussite-Malachite-Mimetite-158529.jpg|Colorless cerussite crystal that has been included by wisps of light green [[malachite]]
-Image:Light of the Desert.jpg|At 890 carats, the [[Light of the Desert]] (located at [[Toronto]]'s [[Royal Ontario Museum]]) is the world's largest faceted cerussite.<ref>{{cite web | title = Iconic: Light of the Desert | date = 2009-11-26  | url = http://www.rom.on.ca/en/collections-research/rom-channel/iconic-light-desert | accessdate = 2012-07-25}}</ref>
+File:Cerussite-18566.jpg|Fine example of reticulated growth
 </gallery>
 ==See also==
-*[[Venetian Ceruse]] – Cerussite-based cosmetic popularly thought to be worn by [[Elizabeth I of England]]
+*[[Venetian ceruse]] – Cerussite-based cosmetic popularly thought to be worn by [[Elizabeth I of England]]
 ==References==
+*{{EB1911|wstitle=Cerussite |volume=5 |page=762 |first=Leonard James|last=Spencer|author-link=Leonard James Spencer}}
 {{Reflist}}
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040404192328/http://mineral.galleries.com:80/minerals/carbonat/cerussit/cerussit.htm Mineral galleries]
-*{{EB1911 |wstitle=Cerussite |volume=5 |page=762}}
+==External links==
-[[Category:Lead minerals]]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040404192328/http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/cerussit/cerussit.htm Mineral galleries]
 [[Category:Carbonate minerals]]
-[[Category:Orthorhombic minerals]]
-[[Category:Luminescent minerals]]
 [[Category:Gemstones]]
+[[Category:Lead minerals]]
+[[Category:Luminescent minerals]]
+[[Category:Minerals in space group 62]]
+[[Category:Orthorhombic minerals]]
+[[Category:Aragonite group]]
+[[Category:Minerals described in 1845]]