Lead
Image: <b><a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alchemist-hp" title="User:Alchemist-hp">Alchemist-hp</a> (<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Alchemist-hp" title="User talk:Alchemist-hp"><span class="signature-talk">talk</span></a>) (<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.pse-mendelejew.de">www.pse-mendelejew.de</a>)</b> (FAL)
Mineral NameLead
Chemical FormulaPb
Mohs Hardness1.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorbluish-gray to gray
CleavageNone
Fracturehackly
Specific Gravity11.34
Colorssilvery-gray, bluish-gray, dull gray
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityWorldwide (from various lead ore deposits)
Mineral GroupNative elements
Usesbatteries, radiation shielding, weights, ammunition, alloys
Associated Mineralsgalena (primary ore mineral)
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays three dark grey, botryoidal lead nodules, which are superficially oxidized, alongside a shiny, silvery 1 cm³ lead cube for comparison.
Geological Context
Lead is primarily obtained from the ore mineral galena (PbS), which forms in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary deposits. The lead shown here is electrolytically refined, not naturally occurring native lead.
