Cerussite
Cerussite | ||
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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 | [2][3][4] |
Cerussite (also known as lead carbonate or white lead ore) is a
Cerussite
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
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
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Crystals of cerussite, a secondary lead ore
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At 890 carats, the Light of the Desert (located at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum) is the world's largest faceted cerussite.[11]
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Colorless cerussite crystal that has been included by wisps of light green malachite
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Fine example of reticulated growth
See also
- Elizabeth I of England
References
- public domain: Spencer, Leonard James (1911). "Cerussite". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 762. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
- 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.
- 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.