Galena

Mineral formula: PbS

Mineral group: member of the galena group

Crystal system: isometric

Crystal habit: Cubes, octahedrons, cube-octahedron combinations and rarely dodecahedrons.

Cleavage: Perfect on {001}

Fracture: sub conchoidal

Color: lead grey

Luster: metallic, sub-metallic

Diaphaneity: opaque

Moh’s scale hardness: 2 ½

Streak: lead grey

Specific gravity: 7.6

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

Geological occurrence: Galena is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000 BC, it is found in ore veins with other lead and zinc ore minerals (such as sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite). It also occurs in skarns, and 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.

Energetic properties: According to Melody*, galena is a “stone of harmony” helping with grounding and centering. This greater centeredness helps to decrease self-limiting thoughts. It supports those in both traditional and non-traditional medical fields.

*Melody (2008) Love is in the Earth, the Crystal & Mineral Encyclopedia. Earth Love Publishing, 976 pp.