Cerussite with Baryte and Galena from Mibladen – Twinned Crystals on Matrix

This Cerussite specimen from Mibladen near Midelt, Morocco, shows several whitish to colorless Cerussite crystals on a narrow, richly mineralized matrix with Baryte and minor Galena. Particularly striking are the two upper Cerussite groups with crystals measuring approximately 1 × 1 cm each. They show good luster and a complex intergrown habit that is very likely twinned.

The specimen measures 6.0 × 2.5 × 2.0 cm and has an unusually slender, vertically developed shape. On the opposite side, numerous cream-white to yellowish bladed Baryte aggregates are visible. Small gray Galena areas occur between them.

Translucent Cerussite with twinning

The Cerussite crystals are translucent and show a good vitreous to adamantine luster. The crystal group at the upper end of the specimen stands out clearly from the matrix.

Several crystal individuals are intergrown and show a complex morphology typical of Cerussite. On this specimen, twinning is very likely, although the external morphology does not allow a specific multiple-twin form such as a sixling to be identified with certainty.

The largest Cerussite crystals reach approximately 1 cm and form the main mineralogical feature of the specimen.

Baryte and partly altered Galena

On the reverse side and along the matrix, the Baryte forms numerous bladed, fan-like to rosette-like aggregates. Its color ranges from whitish and cream-colored to locally yellowish. The Baryte is opaque.

Galena is also visible in a few areas. On this specimen, it does not show a fresh metallic luster but appears predominantly dull and partly altered. In places, the Galena is overgrown by Cerussite.

This feature documents the secondary alteration of the original lead sulfide Galena to Cerussite under oxidizing conditions. The specimen therefore not only shows an attractive mineral association but also a mineralogical alteration process that can be observed directly on the piece.

Cerussite from the classic Mibladen locality

Mibladen near Midelt is one of the classic Moroccan localities for lead minerals. In addition to the Vanadinite for which the area is especially well known, minerals such as Galena, Cerussite and Baryte also occur there.

Cerussite commonly forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of lead-bearing deposits through alteration of Galena. Mibladen is known for well-developed Cerussite crystals, including complex twinned forms.

This specimen combines translucent Cerussite, bladed Baryte and partly altered Galena in a particularly instructive mineral association. Its slender shape and Cerussite crystals reaching around 1 cm add further interest.