Galena
Galena is a gray, cubic, shiny, dense mineral most commonly associated with lead. It is one of the earliest minerals used by humans, and one of the most abundant sulfide minerals on the Earth.
Type
Mineral
Mineral Classification
Sulfide
Streak
Gray
Mohs Hardness
2.5-2.75
Crystal System
PbS
Color
Gray
Luster
Metallic
Fracture
Subconchoidal
Description
Galena is a gray, cubic, shiny, dense mineral most commonly associated with lead. It is one of the earliest minerals used by humans, and one of the most abundant sulfide minerals on the Earth.
Relation to Mining
Galena is still mined today in large quantities, not only for lead, but also for silver.
Uses
Due to its health risk, lead is no longer used in plumbing or paints, but has many applications such as batteries, or as a semi-conductor for radios and other electronic equipment. Lead vests are used in the medical industry as a protection from x-ray equipment.
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