Barite with Cerussite & Galena from Midelt/Morocco “the classic of the Atlas”

Cerussite, ranging from translucent to sub-translucent and colorless, white, gray, blue or green, has a diamond luster and a white streak color. The cleavage of the mineral is good according to the crystal planes [110] and [021]. It belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system. With an average density of 6.58, a hardness of 3 to 3.5 and non-radioactive properties, cerussite is remarkable. It has a birefringence of 0.2730. The name is taken from the Latin 'cerussa', meaning 'white lead', and it is also known as white lead ore or lead carbonate. Cerussite forms in areas where lead-rich fluids cut through limestone. Although the type locality has not been specifically defined, the mineral is found in places including Tsumeb, Namibia, and small quantities have been mined at the Blieberg Mining Site in eastern Belgium. The chemical formula of cerussite is PbCO3, which stands for lead(II) carbonate.