Cerussite
Cerussite is a lead carbonate (PbCO3) belonging to the aragonite group, alongside aragonite, strontianite, and witherite. It forms almost exclusively in the oxidized zone of lead deposits, where carbonated waters attack primary galena, making it one of the most important and widespread secondary lead ore minerals. Cerussite crystallizes in striking habits: tabular and pseudo-hexagonal individuals, elongated "jackstraw" networks, and above all distinctive twins — V-shaped contact twins and the famous reticulated "sixling" star twins prized by collectors. Its high specific gravity, strong adamantine luster, and exceptional dispersion give fine crystals a diamond-like brilliance, though a hardness of only 3–3.5 and perfect cleavage make cut stones extremely fragile and thermally sensitive, so cerussite is collected almost entirely as a display mineral rather than for jewelry.
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