Galena

Galena crystal structure, with large yellow sulfur and small purple lead symbols.

Galena in hand specimen.

Formula

PbS

Structure

Non-silicate

Crystal System

Crystal system: cubic

Physical Properties

Colour in hand specimen: lead grey
Streak: lead grey
Lustre: metallic
Cleavage: one, perfect
Hardness: 2.5

Optical Properties

Colour in plane polarised light: opaque
Relief: high

Mineral Specimens

M412 Quartz (with galena and pyrite)
North Wales
A mass of small hexagonal quartz prisms, with galena, pyrite and zinc blende.
Transparent, white to light grey
Galena: purple-black, shiny, platy habit, metallic
Pyrite: metallic lustre, gold colour, cubic habit, “Fools’ gold”

Mineral Name

galena