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.