LEAD
lead - mineral 1.1.1.4

The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom   Help   Pictures
Help Chemical Formula Pb
Help Composition Lead
Help Color Light-gray to slightly bluish-gray
Help Streak Light-gray. Streak shiny.
Help Hardness
Help Crystal Forms
and Aggregates
(Isometric) Occurs as small grains, and sometimes as thin flakes, bust most often in massive form.
Help Transparency Opaque
Help Specific Gravity 11.3
Help Luster Metallic
Help Cleavage None
Help Fracture Hackly
Help Tenacity Malleable, ductile, and sectile
Help Other ID Marks Oxidizes to a slightly bluish-gray color
Help Other Names Native Lead
Help In Group Native elements ; Metallic elements
Help All About Lead is a common element, but is very rare in a native state. Some location contain lead as a by-product of smelting operations, where masses of lead are formed, but they are not naturally occuring. Such specimens are occasionally sold to colectors.
Help Uses Due to its rarity, Native Lead is only used as a specimen for collectors (despite its lack of aesthetics). Although Native Lead is not an ore of the element lead, the uses for that element will be briefly mentioned here:
Lead is used in batteries, paint pigments, glasswork, and in sheathing electric cables. Its great mass enables it to be used as a shield for radioactive materials. In recent times much lead is being replaced with other metals, particularly in piping, paints, and glasswork, due to its health hazards in causing lead poisoning and brain damage.
Help Striking Features Light-gray color, heaviness, and softness (can be scratched with a fingernail)
Help Complex Tests Dissolves in nitric acid
Help Popularity (1-4) 3
Help Prevalence (1-3) 3
Help Demand (1-3) 2
Distinguishing
Similar Minerals
The distinctive properties of Lead can distinguish it from every mineral.
Help Commonly
Occurs With
Calcite, Hematite
Help Noteworthy
Localities
Few localities for this rare mineral are noteworthy. Perhaps the best collectors specimens come from Langban, Sweden, and the Harstig Mine in Sweden has also produced a limited amount of Native Lead. Lead has also been found in Franklin and Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey.
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