PbCO₃

Cerussite is an extremely rare secondary mineral at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color varies from white to off-white.
Luster is adamantine to vitreous.
Diaphaneity transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; Pmcn.
Crystal Habits include acicular crystals to 0.5mm and as thin
crusts on galena.
Cleavage {110} and {201} are distinct.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 3- 3.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 6.6 g/cm³.
Streak is colorless to white.
Associated Minerals include galena and wulfenite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit.
Origin: Artificial lead carbonate was written about as early as
400 B.C. by the Greeks for cerussa, white lead.

CLASSIFICATION:

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:303 (1990), Dana 8:446-447 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH          PE          AP          MX          SS           MC          HF           BR          SX          FR
¤¤¤            —             ¤¤             —             —            —              —             ¤¤            —             —  

Legend