Galena
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameGalena
Chemical FormulaPbS
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorlead gray
Cleavageperfect cubic (three directions at 90 degrees)
Fracturesubconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity7.4
Colorslead-gray, silvery-gray
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityBorieva mine, Madan ore field, Rhodope Mts, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usesprimary ore of lead, source of silver, collector specimens
Associated Mineralsquartz
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen features large, mirror-bright, silvery-gray galena crystals with distinct stepped faces, intergrown with numerous translucent, pointed quartz crystals.
Geological Context
Galena typically forms in hydrothermal veins, often in association with other sulfide minerals like sphalerite and chalcopyrite, within lead-zinc ore deposits.
