Crystal & mineral guide
Galena
PbS
Primary lead ore — perfect cubic cleavage and extreme density.
Identify Galena with RockScan Get on the App StoreAbout Galena
Galena's bright metallic cubes and perfect cleavage are textbook ore ID. Extremely dense and soft. Often silver-bearing — historically a major silver source as well as lead. Fresh surfaces darken with time.
Galena belongs in a crystal identifier workflow because photo cues — color zoning, crystal habit, and surface luster — combine with measurable traits like Mohs 2.5 and specific gravity 7.4–7.6. Use RockScan’s camera to get a first-pass ID, then confirm with the checklist below.
Galena properties
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Color | Lead-gray |
| Composition | Lead sulfide |
| Formation | Hydrothermal veins and Mississippi Valley-type deposits |
| Occurrence | USA, Australia, China, Peru, Morocco |
| Specific gravity | 7.4–7.6 |
| Cleavage | Perfect cubic |
How to identify Galena
- Perfect cubic cleavage
- Very heavy (SG ~7.5)
- Soft; gray-black streak
Collector notes
- Often the chief silver ore historically via argentiferous galena
- Cubic crystals can look like metallic dice
Value context: Ore by Pb/Ag content; sharp cubic crystals are popular teaching specimens.
Galena FAQ
How do you identify Galena?
Galena (PbS) is typically recognized by lead-gray color, metallic luster, Mohs hardness 2.5, and cubic crystal system. RockScan can suggest Galena from a photo and surface these checks on the result card.
What is Galena made of?
Galena composition: Lead sulfide. It forms via hydrothermal veins and mississippi valley-type deposits and is found in USA, Australia, China, Peru, Morocco.
Is Galena valuable?
Ore by Pb/Ag content; sharp cubic crystals are popular teaching specimens.
