This exquisitely brilliant, twinned crystal of cerussite is the finest known example of its species - nature's version of "lead crystal!' The highly lustrous, perfectly transparent pair of crystals is 78% lead, the remaining 22% consisting of carbon and oxygen, while man-manufactured “crystal glass” contains at most 30% lead. The play of colors seemingly trapped within the crystal results from cerussite's high refractive index and its exceptional clarity. This specimen was recovered from a mine located just 49 km south of the famous Tsumeb mine in north-central Namibia.

Kombat Mine,Grootfontein Dist.,Otjozondjupa

Perkins & Ann Sams (USA), Houston Museum (USA)

1977

From the Latin cerussa, meaning the "white of lead".

5 - Carbonates and Borates / Carbonates

7.5x7.5x10.5

3

6.6

"Mineralogical Record: Jan-Feb 1992, "Lapis, Jg. 25, Nr. 1, Jan. 2000", "Namibia - Minerals and Localities", "Masterpieces of the Mineral World: Treasures From the Houston Museum of Natural Science", "Le Règn