For all things mineral related.
I feel like my collection has more questions than answers.
I bought this a long time ago under the label of lead. This seemed fitting after my last entry turned out to be somewhat of a fake.
Especially, considering the larger piece, lets take a poll. Is this native lead or molten lead that was poured over another rock?
Also, lead is toxic, please handle any specimens with care.
I'm going with choice C, it's Galena. I've not seen native lead in person, but I don't think it has a metallic look, just dull grey. Galena is lead sulfide, so it's not surprising to find it sold under the label Lead.
ETA: on a side note, I just added a magazine picture, it's Galena (with Cerussite). Good timing with your post! Mine was sold to me as Hematite, lol.
Also I have this (hopefully shown in a picture below) that is unlabeled. I guess this is more what I expected Galena to look like. Do you think this is also Galena, or something else?
That looks like some typical Galena. Is it fairly soft and light? If so, definitely Galena. Also, it's streak should look like pencil lead.
Its definitely lightweight, although the pieces are small, so its a little hard to tell. Maybe half cm, tops.
But, I could scratch it with a penny, and write on paper like it was a pencil, too.
If it quacks like a duck...
Thanks :)
I did think about mentioning that, but I wasn't sure it fit the typical description of Galena. All the examples have larger formations. I did see that native lead was rare, but I did pick it up years ago...one can dream, haha. At least I can label it properly now though, thanks!
Dang, hematite? That's just not right.
Side note: are the magazine pictures different from a regular post? Not sure I see the one you added.
By magazine picture, I just meant the little thumb nail pic for the community. Should show up on the side bar and next to the word "minerals"for where a post was listed to.