Carbonate of lead, "cerussite," from the Evening Star Mine, Leadville, Colorado

Made:
before 1889
Carbonate of lead, cerussite,' from the Evening Star Mine

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Carbonate of lead, cerussite,' from the Evening Star Mine
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Carbonate of lead, "cerussite," from the Evening Star Mine, Leadville, Colorado

Cerussite, lead carbonate, or ‘white lead’ is a mineral ore of lead. It was a key ingredient in lead paints historically, including in cosmetic paints. Venetian ceruse, an Elizabethan cosmetic thought the be used by Queen Elizabeth I, is made from this mineral. The mineral is toxic to humans, with lead poisoning causing much damage to the body and eventually leading to death.

Details

Category:
Metallurgy
Object Number:
1889-164/1412
type:
specimen
credit:
John Percy Collection