CERUSSITE
Specimen cer-16
$ 85.00Dims: 2.9 x 2.0 x 1.8" (7.4 x 5.1 x 4.6 cm)
Wt: 5.10 oz. (144.5 g)
Grand Reef Mine, Klondyke, Graham County, Arizona, U.S.A.
This small hand specimen consists of several intergrown Cerussite crystals that rest in a hollow in a pale brown quartzite host rock. The largest of these crystals are twinned and measure approximately 0.8" (2.0 cm). They are likely the only intact and complete crystals on the piece, as the others are more exposed and all appear to be broken to a degree. Their orthorhombic prismatic form is very good, though restricted growing space has not allowed them to terminate. All edges are well-defined and all faces are smooth, however, and possess the standard adamantine luster. Their pale, creamy color and milky translucence are likewise common for the species. The hollow in which the crystals rest is lined with a druse of tiny quartz crystals that have a faint violet hint. A very faint blue coloration on some of them makes me think that a small amount of copper is also present in the surrounding host.