Galena
Galena, also called lead glance, is the natural mineral form of lead(II) sulfide (PbS). It is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver.
| Galena | |
|---|---|
Galena with minor pyrite | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | PbS |
| IMA symbol | Gn |
| Strunz classification | 2.CD.10 |
| Dana classification | 2.8.1.1 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Crystal class | Hexoctahedral (m3m) H–M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m) |
| Space group | Fm3m |
| Unit cell | a = 5.936 Å; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Lead gray and silvery |
| Crystal habit | Cubes and octahedra, blocky, tabular and sometimes skeletal crystals |
| Twinning | Contact, penetration and lamellar |
| Cleavage | Cubic perfect on {001}, parting on {111} |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–2.75 |
| Luster | Metallic on cleavage planes |
| Streak | Lead gray |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 7.2–7.6 |
| Optical properties | Isotropic and opaque |
| Fusibility | 2 |
| Other characteristics | Natural semiconductor |
| References | |
Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms. It is often associated with the minerals sphalerite, calcite and fluorite.
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