Cerussite

specimen number:
2262012

location:
Embreeville, Tennessee, USA

description:
A very fine and quite rare locality example for the species. White jackstraw crystals of cerussite are forming a compact cluster without matrix. In good condition, the specimen comes with several previous labels. These are shown at the end of the video. Specimens from this locality are rarely ever seen available on the market.

Embreeville, Tennessee, and the adjacent Bumpass Cove area possess one of the longest and most diverse mining histories in the United States, notably serving as the site of the state's earliest lead mining. Geologically, the district is a synclinal structure where lead, zinc, and iron sulfides were deposited within the Cambrian-aged Shady Dolomite. Over time, extensive weathering of the dolomite created deep residual clays containing "oxidized" secondary deposits of lead (cerussite), zinc (hemimorphite and smithsonite), iron (limonite), and manganese.

Historically, lead was the first metal extracted from the cove, with local tradition stating that lead from "Colyer's Mine" was used to cast bullets for the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. While iron mining dominated much of the 19th century under the Embree family and later British interests, a significant shift occurred in 1913 when the Embree Iron Company discovered major zinc and lead reserves. Industrial lead production peaked during and after World War I, with significant quantities of lead concentrates being shipped alongside zinc. Small-scale mining of lead and manganese continued sporadically through the 1940s until the Tri-State Zinc Company removed the last remaining commercial ore, finally ceasing all operations by 1960.

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