Lead White is  made according to the sixteenth-century Dutch stack process. The difference between lead white made according to modern practice and that made by the Dutch stack process is the size and shape of the pigment particles. The Dutch stack process yields a pigment with larger particles with more variance in size and shape. This difference affects the oil absorption ratio of the pigment, its opacity, and consistency in paint. Both forms of basic carbonate of lead usually contain about 70% of lead carbonate and 30% lead hydrate. Although lead carbonate occurs in nature as the mineral cerussite, it has not been an essential source of white pigment in painting history.