Mimetite (w. cerussite)

cerussite

A dense matrix of massive sulphide hosts a deep and well-defined vug (45 mm across), lined with translucent honey-yellow crystals of mimetite (to 8 mm) and later (?) sparse crystals of colourless cerussite (to 10 mm). The mimetite crystals are highly lustrous and translucent (although only the smaller crystals are gemmy); the habit is prismatic, with a pyramidal termination truncated by a small pinacoid (Exhibit 2).

The specimen is from the collection of Clement Latz, which was donated to the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia) in 1976. There is no record of earlier provenance or of location in the mine.