Cerussite var: Chrome-Cerussite

Item Description

Chromium is one of the most intense chromophores in the mineral world, creating intense green and red hues in certain minerals, but in the case of the Cerussite, chromium creates a rarely seen yellow hue. The specimens from Dundas, Tasmania are certainly the most well-known examples of Chrome-Cerussite, with featuring excellent crystallized examples with that classic yellow color. This piece is a good small cabinet / large miniature sized specimen featuring many sharp, well-formed, prismatic crystals measuring up to 1.1 cm, sitting on matrix. There is a slight chatoyant quality to the crystals when they are rotated in the light. The color ranges from a fairly vivid yellow hue to nearly white, as the concentration of chromium varies from crystal to crystal. The accompanying label states that there is Dundasite on the specimen, but after looking closely with a loupe, I can't seem to find it. Very little damage and quite eye-catching up close. These are seldom available on the market these days, so if you collect carbonates, Cerussites or Australian minerals, these are a must-have for their distinctive hue.
Ex Gerry Morvell Collection, valued $750