Galena

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Mineral class:Sulfide
Composition:Lead sulfide, PbS
Hardness:2.6
Luster:Metallic
Color:Lead-grey, silver-grey, blue-black
Streak:Dark grey or black
Cleavage:3 perfect planes at 90 degrees
Specific Gravity:7.2-7.6
Crystal form:Cubic or granular masses
Environment:Hydrothermal veins
Uses:The principal ore of lead. Often contains silver.
Comments:
  • Will mark paper.
  • Fuses easily, leaving yellow stain.
  • Soluble in HCl, evolving H2S gas.
  • Soluble in HNO3, producing sulfur and lead sulfate.
  • Small globules of metallic lead collect on the surface if a fragment is held in a candle flame.
  • Common in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, as well as Cumberland, England; Germany; Idaho and Utah.
[galena.jpg] [galenaSilver.jpg]