Cerussite

About cerussite's extreme sensitivity to thermal shock, Joel Arem writes: "This property became painfully evident when a 300+ carat, flawless, emerald-cut cerussite I was having cut finished out as a perfect gem — and instantly developed a thin, vertical cleavage crack across the middle of the entire stone, just because of the temperature change of removing the gem from the dop!" Cerussite, 10.62 cts, Tsumeb, Namibia. © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Article: Cerussite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Credit: Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA