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Galena

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

This page kindly sponsored by Richard Eddy

Photos of Galena (8447)Recorded Ages and Analyses Discuss Galena View 'Best Of' Article

Galena Gallery Search Photos of Galena

Edit Galena Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Galena

Indian Creek Mine, Indian Creek Subdistrict, Ebo, Washington County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Sweetwater Mine, Ellington, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Fletcher Mine, West Fork, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Emperius Mine, Creede Mining District, Mineral County, Colorado, USA

Galena

Indian Creek Mine, Indian Creek Subdistrict, Ebo, Washington County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Sweetwater Mine, Ellington, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Fletcher Mine, West Fork, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Emperius Mine, Creede Mining District, Mineral County, Colorado, USA

Galena

Indian Creek Mine, Indian Creek Subdistrict, Ebo, Washington County, Missouri, USA

Galena, etc.

Sweetwater Mine, Ellington, Reynolds County, Missouri, USA

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About GalenaHide

Formula:

PbS

Colour:

Lead-grey

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull

Hardness:

2½

Specific Gravity:

7.60

Crystal System:

Isometric

Member of:

Galena Group

Name:

Named by Pliny the Elder in 77-79 from the Greek "galene" meaning "lead ore".

Galena Group.

Galena is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead and silver contents (the latter as minute inclusions of various silver sulphosalts) as early as 3000 BC, it is found in ore veins with sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, etc. and in skarns, as well as in sedimentary rocks where it may replace carbonate beds or be deposited in pore spaces. The crystals are bright when fresh but often tarnish after exposure to air.
The most common weathering products are cerussite and anglesite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

1641

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:1641:0

Similar NamesHide

Glin	A synonym of Native Aluminium
U-Galena	A variety of Galena

IMA Classification of GalenaHide

IMA status:

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

IMA Formula:

Pb²⁺S^2-

Classification of GalenaHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

2.CD.10

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
D : With Sn, Pb, Hg, etc.

Dana 8th ed.:

2.8.1.1

2 : SULFIDES
8 : A_mX_p, with m:p = 1:1

Hey's CIM Ref.:

3.6.5

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
6 : Sulphides etc. of Sb and Pb

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

Symbol	Source	Reference for Standard
Gn	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
Gn	Whitney & Evans (2010)	Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
Gn	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019)	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download

Pronunciation of GalenaHide

Pronunciation:

Play	Recorded by	Country
	Jolyon Ralph	United Kingdom

Physical Properties of GalenaHide

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull

Transparency:

Opaque

Colour:

Lead-grey

Streak:

Lead-grey

Hardness:

2½ on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₁₀₀=79 - 104 kg/mm² - Vickers

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Perfect
{001}

Parting:

{111}; may be caused by exsolution lamellae (e.g. bismuth and bismuthinite, Meixner & Paar (1977); see also Ramdohr, 1975).

Fracture:

Sub-Conchoidal

Density:

7.60 g/cm³ (Measured) 7.57 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of GalenaHide

Type:

Isotropic

Reflectivity:

Wavelength	R₁ (%)
400nm	51.9%
420nm	50.5%
440nm	49.1%
460nm	47.7%
480nm	46.6%
500nm	45.4%
520nm	44.4%
540nm	43.7%
560nm	43.1%
580nm	42.8%
600nm	42.7%
620nm	42.7%
640nm	42.8%
660nm	42.9%
680nm	42.9%
700nm	42.6%

Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 51.9%.

Colour in reflected light:

White

Comments:

Often will form triangular pits in poorly polished sections.

Chemistry of GalenaHide

Mindat Formula:

PbS

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
Pb	86.599 %
S	13.402 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Pb, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Ag,Cu,Fe,Bi

View all 28 analyses with additional filters.

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:

Neoarchean to Quaternary : 2567 Ma to 0 Ma - based on 28 recorded ages.

Sample ages:

Sample ID	Recorded age	Geologic Time	Dating method
1	2.588 Ma to present day	Pleistocene	Formed in peat.
2	9 to 7 Ma	Miocene	K-Ar
3	83 Ma	Late/Upper Cretaceous	K-Ar
4	306 Ma	Pennsylvanian
5	382 Ma	Late/Upper Devonian
6	382 to 306 Ma	Paleozoic	Pb
7	709 Ma	Cryogenian	Pb-Pb
8	723 Ma	Tonian	Pb-Pb
9	1510 ± 60 Ma	Calymmian
10	1658 Ma	Statherian	Pb-Pb
11	1670 Ma	Statherian	Pb-Pb
12	1715 Ma	Statherian	Pb-Pb
13	1723 Ma	Statherian	Pb-Pb
14	1883 Ma	Orosirian
15	1889 Ma	Orosirian
16	1893 Ma	Orosirian
17	2000 Ma	Orosirian	206Pb/207Pb
18	2004 Ma	Orosirian	Pb-Pb
19	2058 Ma	Rhyacian	Pb-Pb
20	2567 Ma	Neoarchean	Pb-Pb

Sample references:

ID	Locality	Reference
1	Grieves Siding prospect, Zeehan mineral field, Zeehan mining district, West Coast municipality, Tasmania, Australia	Awid-Pascual, Richelle, Kamenetsky, Vadim S., Goemann, Karsten, Allen, Neil, Noble, Taryn L., Lottermoser, Bernd G., Rodemann, Thomas (2015) The evolution of authigenic Zn–Pb–Fe-bearing phases in the Grieves Siding peat, western Tasmania. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 170 (2). 1-16 doi:10.1007/s00410-015-1167-y
2	Capillitas mining district, Andalgalá, Andalgalá Department, Catamarca Province, Argentina	Tilton, G. R., Pollak, R. J., Clark, A. H., & Robertson, R. C. (1981) Isotopic composition of Pb in central Andean ore deposits. Geological Society of America Memoirs, 154, 791-816.
3	Rutile-bearing pegmatites on Ancohuma Peak, Sorata, Larecaja Province, La Paz, Bolivia	Tilton, G. R., Pollak, R. J., Clark, A. H., & Robertson, R. C. (1981) Isotopic composition of Pb in central Andean ore deposits. Geological Society of America Memoirs, 154, 791-816.
4	Lehua Mn-Pb-Zn deposit, Leping Co., Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China	Gu, Lianxing; Khin Zaw,; Hu, Wenxuan; Zhang, Kaijun; Ni, Pei; He, Jinxiang; Xu, Yaotong; Lu, Jianjun; Lin, Chunming (2007) Distinctive features of Late Palaeozoic massive sulphide deposits in South China. Ore Geology Reviews, 31 (1). doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2005.01.002
5	" "	Gu, Lianxing; Khin Zaw,; Hu, Wenxuan; Zhang, Kaijun; Ni, Pei; He, Jinxiang; Xu, Yaotong; Lu, Jianjun; Lin, Chunming (2007) Distinctive features of Late Palaeozoic massive sulphide deposits in South China. Ore Geology Reviews, 31 (1). doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2005.01.002
6	" "	Gu, Lianxing; Khin Zaw,; Hu, Wenxuan; Zhang, Kaijun; Ni, Pei; He, Jinxiang; Xu, Yaotong; Lu, Jianjun; Lin, Chunming (2007) Distinctive features of Late Palaeozoic massive sulphide deposits in South China. Ore Geology Reviews, 31 (1). doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2005.01.002
7	Storträsket, Storuman, Västerbotten County, Sweden	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
8	" "	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
9	Ettedal Mine, Vegårshei, Agder, Norway	Moorbath, S.; Vokes, F.M. (1963) Lead isotope abundance studies on galena occurrences in Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift [Norwegian Journal of Geology], 43 (3). 283-343
10	Hällefors silver mines, Hällefors, Örebro County, Sweden	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
11	Mellan ore field, Hällefors silver mines, Hällefors, Örebro County, Sweden	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
12	Gruvåsen mines, Persberg ore district, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
13	" "	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
14	Kutemajärvi mine, Orivesi, Pirkanmaa, Finland	M
15	" "	M
16	" "	M
17	North Vozhma deposit, Vozhmozero, Medvezhyegorsky District, Republic of Karelia, Russia	Kuleshevich, L. V., Tytyk, V. M., Fedyuk, Z. N. (2007) Gold potential of massive sulfide ores in the Kamennoozero structural unit, Eastern Karelia. Geology of Ore Deposits, 49 (7) 607-613 doi:10.1134/s1075701507070173
18	Lupikko Mine, Pitkyaranta mining district, Pitkyarantsky District, Republic of Karelia, Russia	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
19	Hopunvaara mine, Hopunvaara area, Pitkyaranta mining district, Pitkyarantsky District, Republic of Karelia, Russia	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,
20	Kråkemåla, Oskarshamn, Kalmar County, Sweden	Sundblad, K. (1991) Lead isotopic evidence for the origin of 1.8-1.4 Ga ores and granitoids in the southeastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield.Precambrian Research,

Crystallography of GalenaHide

Crystal System:

Isometric

Class (H-M):

m3m(4/m32/m) - Hexoctahedral

Space Group:

Fm3m

Setting:

Fm3m

Cell Parameters:

a = 5.9362 Å

Unit Cell V:

209.18 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Cubes, octahedrons, cube-octahedron combinations and rarely dodecahedrons.
Rarely, platy twins.

Twinning:

Spinel-type {111}, lamellar {114}

Crystallographic forms of GalenaHide

Crystal Atlas:

Image Loading

Click on an icon to view

Galena no.1 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.2 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.4 - {111} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.23 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.37 - {111} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.45 - {441} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.46 - {100} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Galena no.68 - {111} - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

Crystal StructureHide

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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Year	Locality	Temp (K)
0010046	Galena	Noda Y, Masumoto K, Ohba S, Saito Y, Toriumi K, Iwata Y, Shibuya I (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe Acta Crystallographica C43 1443-1445	1987	synthetic	293
0010045	Galena	Noda Y, Masumoto K, Ohba S, Saito Y, Toriumi K, Iwata Y, Shibuya I (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe Acta Crystallographica C43 1443-1445	1987	synthetic	293
0010044	Galena	Noda Y, Masumoto K, Ohba S, Saito Y, Toriumi K, Iwata Y, Shibuya I (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe Acta Crystallographica C43 1443-1445	1987	synthetic	293
0010043	Galena	Noda Y, Masumoto K, Ohba S, Saito Y, Toriumi K, Iwata Y, Shibuya I (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe Acta Crystallographica C43 1443-1445	1987	synthetic	293
0010042	Galena	Noda Y, Masumoto K, Ohba S, Saito Y, Toriumi K, Iwata Y, Shibuya I (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe Acta Crystallographica C43 1443-1445	1987	synthetic	293
0000003	Galena	Ramsdell L S (1925) The crystal structures of some metallic sulfides American Mineralogist 10 281-304	1925	Colorado, USA	293
0011372	Galena	Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York rocksalt structure Crystal Structures 1 85-237	1963		293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Galena'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Noda Y'
'Masumoto K'
'Ohba S'
'Saito Y'
'Toriumi K'
'Iwata Y'
'Shibuya I'
_journal_name_full 'Acta Crystallographica, Section C'
_journal_volume 43 
_journal_year 1987
_journal_page_first 1443
_journal_page_last 1445
_publ_section_title
;
 Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS,
 PbSe and PbTe
 Sample: T = 298 K
;
_database_code_amcsd 0010046
_chemical_compound_source 'Synthetic'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Pb S'
_cell_length_a 5.9315
_cell_length_b 5.9315
_cell_length_c 5.9315
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 208.686
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      7.615
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'F m 3 m'
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  'y,1/2+z,1/2+x'
  '1/2+y,z,1/2+x'
  '1/2+y,1/2+z,x'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '-x,1/2-y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,-y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,-z'
  'z,x,y'
  'z,1/2+x,1/2+y'
  '1/2+z,x,1/2+y'
  '1/2+z,1/2+x,y'
  '-y,-z,-x'
  '-y,1/2-z,1/2-x'
  '1/2-y,-z,1/2-x'
  '1/2-y,1/2-z,-x'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Pb   0.00000   0.00000   0.00000   0.01634
S   0.50000   0.50000   0.50000   0.01558

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...

2θ (degrees) d-spacing (Å)

Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.429 Å	(84)
2.969 Å	(100)
2.099 Å	(57)
1.790 Å	(35)
1.714 Å	(16)
1.484 Å	(10)
1.362 Å	(10)
1.327 Å	(17)
1.212 Å	(10)
1.1424 Å	(6)
1.0489 Å	(3)
1.0034 Å	(5)
0.9893 Å	(6)
0.9386 Å	(4)
0.9050 Å	(2)
0.8962 Å	(4)
0.8568 Å	(1)
0.8312 Å	(3)
0.8232 Å	(3)

Comments:

ICDD 5-592 Synthetic

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust	>4.50
11 : Volcanic fumarole minerals; reduced phases (see also #45)
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere	>4.45
12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33)
14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks	>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere	<0.6
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44)	<0.54
50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals	<0.36
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals	<10 Ka
54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56)

Synonyms of GalenaHide

Other Language Names for GalenaHide

Basque:Galena

Bosnian:Galenit

Catalan:Galena

Czech:Galenit

Dutch:Galeniet

Esperanto:Galeno

Estonian:Galeniit

Finnish:Lyijyhohde

French:Galène
Allquifoux

Galician:Galena

German:Galenit
Bleiglanz
Bleyschweif
Glasurerz
Parakobellit
Steinmannit

Hebrew:גלנה

Hungarian:Galenit

Italian:Galena

Japanese:方鉛鉱

Lithuanian:Galenitas

Low Saxon/Low German:Galenit

Norwegian:Blyglans

Polish:Galena

Portuguese:Galena

Romanian:Galenă

Russian:Галенит

Serbian:Галенит

Simplified Chinese:方铅矿

Slovak:Galenit

Slovenian:Galenit

Spanish:Galena
Galenita
Parakobellita

Swedish:Blyglans

Ukrainian:Галеніт

Varieties of GalenaHide

Bismuth-bearing Galena
Blaubleierz	Galena pseudomorph after pyromorphite (see also plumbeine). Also used for coatings of epitaxial, oriented films of galena on pyromorphite. Literally "blue lead ore".
Bleischweif	Old name for very fine-grained galena, usually caused by recrystallisation under tectonic stress. Older spelling is Bleyschweif. "Bleischweif" occasionally appears in discrete ductile shear zones which have been reactivated after the main ore has crystal...
Bleispiegel	Slickenslide galena that forms mirror-like, flattish to slightly curved surfaces. Not to be confused with Bleischweif.
Galène tricotée	Literally means "knitted galena". The German name is Strickblende when it occurs with colloform sphalerite or Gestrickter Bleiglanz when no colloform sphalerite is present.
Gestrickter Bleiglanz	Acicular Galena. Literally means "knitted galena"; a similar designation is Strickblende but that name only can be used when colloform sphalerite is present as well. The French name is "Galène tricotée".
Gold-bearing Galena	A gold-bearing variety of galena; probably microscopic or nano-inclusions of gold or gold-bearing minerals in the galena.
Johnstonite (of Haidinger)	Possibly galena with a supposed excess of S. Maybe a mixture of Galena, Anglesite and/or Sulphur.
Plumbeine	Galena pseudomorphs after pyromorphite (identical to Blaubleierz) - originally thought to be a hexagonal polymorph of galena (A. Breithaupt, 1863: Berg. Hütt. Zeit. 22, 36).
Selenium-bearing Galena	A selenium-bearing variety of galena.
Silver-bearing Galena	Silver-bearing galena. Usually, the silver is present as tiny inclusions of various silver sulphosalts.
Steinmannite	Supposedly a variety of galena with part of the lead replaced with antimony and arsenic. Probably a mixture. Ref: Standard, 2
U-Galena	A variety of Galena containing uranium-derived lead of isotope Pb-206.

Relationship of Galena to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Galena Group

Other Members of Galena Group:

Alabandite	MnS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
Altaite	PbTe	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
Clausthalite	PbSe	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
Niningerite	MgS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
Oldhamite	CaS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m

Forms a series with:

Clausthalite

Clausthalite-Galena Series

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:

6,611 photos of Galena associated with Sphalerite	ZnS
6,399 photos of Galena associated with Quartz	SiO₂
3,541 photos of Galena associated with Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
3,477 photos of Galena associated with Pyrite	FeS₂
3,203 photos of Galena associated with Calcite	CaCO₃
3,041 photos of Galena associated with Fluorite	CaF₂
1,500 photos of Galena associated with Siderite	FeCO₃
1,435 photos of Galena associated with Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
1,275 photos of Galena associated with Cerussite	PbCO₃
1,218 photos of Galena associated with Baryte	BaSO₄

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

2.CD.	Svetlanaite	SnSe	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CD.05	Teallite	PbSnS₂	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
2.CD.05	Herzenbergite	SnS	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
2.CD.10 va	'Quiroguite'	Pb₂₃Sb₆S₃₂
2.CD.10	Clausthalite	PbSe	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.10	Keilite	(Fe²⁺,Mg)S	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.10	Alabandite	MnS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.10	Niningerite	MgS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.10	Altaite	PbTe	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.10	Oldhamite	CaS	Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fm3m
2.CD.15a	Cinnabar	HgS	Trig. 32 : P3₁21
2.CD.15b	Hypercinnabar	HgS	Hex.

Fluorescence of GalenaHide

In UV light:

Not fluorescent in UV.

Other InformationHide

Electrical:

Semiconductor - used as a point contact diode in early radio wireless sets.

Thermal Behaviour:

In an open tube, gives sulfurous fumes.

Notes:

Decomposed by strong nitric acid, with the separation of some sulfur and the formation of lead sulfate.

Health Risks:

Contains lead - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when breaking. Do not lick or ingest.

Industrial Uses:

Principal ore of lead. Often contains silver and is a frequent ore of that metal as well.

Galena in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Metamorphic rock
- Very low to low-grade metamorphic rock
  - Phyllite
    - Quartz-sericite phyllite
- Metasomatic-rock
  - Astorite

Internet Links for GalenaHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-1641.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

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Look for Galena in the Rock H. Currier Digital Library

External Links:

Look for Galena on Webmineral

Look for Galena on Wikipedia

Look for Galena on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for GalenaHide

Reference List:

Brown, John Stafford (1936) Supergene sphalerite, galena, and willemite at Balmat, New York. Economic Geology, 31 (4) 331-354 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.31.4.331

Evrard, P. (1939) Quelques observations relatives aux minéraux zonés de blende et de galène. Annales de la Société géologique de Belgique: 63: B104.

Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.200-204

Bedarida F. (1965) Osservazioni su fenomeni di sfaldatura in cristalli di galena. Periodico di Mineralogia: 337-354.

Hertel, L. (1966): Die Fremdelementführung der Bleiglanze als Hilfe zur Bestimmung der Bildungstemperatur. Erzmetall, 19 (12), 632-635 (in German). [trace elements as indicators of the temperature of formation]

Ramdohr, Paul (1975) Die Erzmineralien und ihre Verwachsungen [The ore minerals and their intergrowths] (4th ed.). Akademie-Verlag. 1277 pp.

Meixner, H. & Paar, W. (1976): Oktaedrisch teilbare Bleiglanz-xx vom Stubacher Sonnblick, Salzburg. Der Karinthin, 76, 310-314.

Blackburn, W.H. and Schwendeman, J.F. (1977) Trace-element substitution in galena. The Canadian Mineralogist: 15: 365-373.

Steger, H.F. and Desjardins, L.E. (1980) Oxidation of sulfide minerals; V, Galena, sphalerite and chalcocite. The Canadian Mineralogist: 18: 365-372.

Augustithis, S. S., Vgenopoulos, A. (1982) On the Hawleyite-Sphalerite-Wurtzite-Galena Paragenesis from Ragada, Komotini, (Rhodope) North Greece. In Ore Genesis. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p.413-417. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-68344-2_41

Franzini M., Troysi M., and Cecchini A.(1984) La microdurezza della galena e le sue variazioni in funzione della temperatura. Rend. Soc. It. Min. Petr.: 39: 717-723.

Tossel, J.A. and Vaughan, D.J. (1987) Electronic structure and the chemical reactivity of the surface of galena. The Canadian Mineralogist: 25: 381-392.

Noda, Y., Masumoto, K., Ohba, S., Saito, Y., Toriumi, K., Iwata, Y., Shibuya, I. (1987) Temperature dependence of atomic thermal parameters of lead chalcogenides, PbS, PbSe and PbTe. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 43 (8) 1443-1445 doi:10.1107/s0108270187091509

Foord, E. E.; Shawe, D. R. (1989) The Pb-Bi-Ag-Cu-(Hg) Chemistry Of Galena And Some Associated Sulfosalts: A Reviewand Some New Data From Colorado, California And Pennsylvania. The Canadian Mineralogist, 27 (3). 363-382

Liu, H., Chang, L. L. Y. (1994) Phase relations in the system PbS-PbSe-PbTe. Mineralogical Magazine, 58 (393) 567-578 doi:10.1180/minmag.1994.058.393.04

Lueth, V. W., Megaw, P. K. M., Pingitore, N. E., Goodell, P. C. (2000) Systematic Variation in Galena Solid-Solution Compositions at Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico. Economic Geology, 95 (8). 1673-1687 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.95.8.1673

(2005) Galena. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Green, D.I., Bridges, T.F., Neall, T. (2005) The Occurrence and Formation of Galena in Supergene Environments. Journal of the Russell Society, 8 (2) 66-70

Deore, S., Navrotsky, A. (2006) Oxide melt solution calorimetry of sulfides: Enthalpy of formation of sphalerite, galena, greenockite, and hawleyite. American Mineralogist, 91 (2) 400-403 doi:10.2138/am.2006.1921

Chutas, N. I., Kress, V. C., Ghiorso, M. S., Sack, R. O. (2008) A solution model for high-temperature PbS-AgSbS2-AgBiS2 galena. American Mineralogist, 93 (10) 1630-1640 doi:10.2138/am.2008.2695

George, L., Cook, N. J., Ciobanu, C. L., Wade, B. P. (2015) Trace and minor elements in galena: A reconnaissance LA-ICP-MS study. American Mineralogist, 100 (2) 548-569 doi:10.2138/am-2015-4862

Hagni, Richard (2018) Platy Galena from the Viburnum Trend, Southeast Missouri: Character, Mine Distribution, Paragenetic Position, Trace Element Content, Nature of Twinning, and Conditions of Formation. Minerals, 8 (3) 93 doi:10.3390/min8030093

Significant localities for GalenaHide

Showing 37 significant localities out of 31,102 recorded on mindat.org.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed.

- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.

- Good crystals or important locality for species.

- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Austria
Carinthia Spittal an der Drau District Malta Koschach ⓘ Mar Alp water tunnel	Niedermayr et al. (1995)
Villach-Land District Bad Bleiberg Bleiberg-Kreuth ⓘ Max Mine	Niedermayr et al. (1995)
ⓘ Rudolf Mine	Niedermayr et al. (1995)

Belgium
Wallonia Namur Andenne Seilles ⓘ Cimetière quarry	Harjo Neutkens collection. +1 other reference

Bulgaria
Smolyan Province Madan Municipality ⓘ Borieva Mine	Manfred Kampf and Rob Lavinski specimens +1 other reference
ⓘ Krushev dol Mine	Bonev (2007) +1 other reference
ⓘ Septemvri Mine	Betts (n.d.)

Canada
Nunavut Qikiqtaaluk Region Little Cornwallis Island ⓘ Polaris Mine (Arvik Mine)	Rocks & Min.: 64:32. +5 other references
Yukon Mayo mining district Galena Hill Elsa ⓘ Husky Mine	Oscar Jose Tessari (1979) +1 other reference

France
Grand Est Bas-Rhin Molsheim Schirmeck ⓘ Schirmeck tunnel	Alain Steinmetz and Thierry Brunsperger ...
Haut-Rhin Thann-Guebwiller Steinbach Silberthal ⓘ Silberthalrücken vein	[var: Silver-bearing Galena] Mines +1 other reference
ⓘ St Nicolas Mine (Großsilberthal vein)	Mines
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Var Draguignan Tanneron ⓘ Fontsante Mine	Belot (1978) +1 other reference

Germany
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Region Rhein-Neckar-Kreis Wiesloch ⓘ Segen Gottes Mine
North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Düren Hürtgenwald ⓘ Maubacher Bleiberg	Schachner (1961) +1 other reference
Saxony-Anhalt Harz Harzgerode Neudorf ⓘ Pfaffenberg Mine	Bancroft (1973) +1 other reference

Ireland
Leinster Longford County Ballymahon Keel ⓘ Garrycam deposit (Keel Mine)	Flannery (n.d.) +2 other references
Munster Tipperary County Silvermines District ⓘ Mogul Mine (Garryard Mine; International Mogul Mines)	Henwood (1871) +6 other references

Italy
Tuscany Lucca Province Stazzema ⓘ Bottino Mine	Traube (1888) +1 other reference

Peru
Ancash Bolognesi Province Aquia District ⓘ Pachapaqui mining district	- (1997)
Huallanca District Huanzala ⓘ Huanzala Mine	Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ... +2 other references
Recuay Province Ticapampa District ⓘ Hercules Mine	- (1997)
Lima Huarochirí Province Chicla District Casapalca ⓘ Casapalca Mine	- (1997)

Poland
Silesian Voivodeship Piekary Śląskie Brzeziny Śląskie ⓘ Orzeł Biały Mine	Coppola et al. (2009)

Portugal
Viseu Mangualde Mangualde (Mesquitela e Cunha Alta) São Cosmado ⓘ Unnamed pegmatite	Luis Martins in-situ observations

Romania
Maramureș County Baia Mare ⓘ Herja Mine	Mârza +8 other references

Russia
Primorsky Krai Dalnegorsk Urban District Dalnegorsk ⓘ Nikolaevskiy Mine	Dobovol'skaya et al. (1990) +3 other references

South Africa
Gauteng West Rand District Municipality Far West Rand Western Sector Carletonville ⓘ Kusasalethu Mine	Wilson (2001)

UK
England Cornwall St Teath ⓘ Old Treburgett Mine	Dines (1956) +1 other reference
County Durham Stanhope Ireshopeburn ⓘ Blackdene Mine	Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ...
Cumbria Eden Alston Moor Nenthead ⓘ Smallcleugh Mine	Dunham (1990)

USA
Missouri Reynolds County Ellington ⓘ Sweetwater Mine	Rocks & Min.: 64:22&26. +7 other references
Greeley ⓘ Brushy Creek Mine	Afifi et al. (1988) +4 other references
West Fork ⓘ Fletcher Mine	Afifi et al. (1988) +4 other references
ⓘ West Fork Mine	Econ Geol (1992) +1 other reference
New York Ulster County Wawarsing Ellenville ⓘ Ellenville Mine (Ellenville Lead Mine; Ulster mine)	Dana 7:I:592. +1 other reference
ⓘ Tri-State Mining District	Rocks & Min. +3 other references

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Galena

About GalenaHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

Similar NamesHide

IMA Classification of GalenaHide

Classification of GalenaHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Pronunciation of GalenaHide

Physical Properties of GalenaHide

Optical Data of GalenaHide

Chemistry of GalenaHide

Age distributionHide

Crystallography of GalenaHide

Crystallographic forms of GalenaHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Synonyms of GalenaHide

Other Language Names for GalenaHide

Varieties of GalenaHide

Relationship of Galena to other SpeciesHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Fluorescence of GalenaHide

Other InformationHide

Galena in petrologyHide

Internet Links for GalenaHide

References for GalenaHide

Significant localities for GalenaHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide