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) Usually occurs as small grains, and sometimes as thin flakes. Massive specimens have also been found.
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 extremely uncommon in a native state. It is limited to very few localities, and even there it is hard to find.
Help Uses Lead is a common element, but is extremely rare in a native state. Due to its extreme rarity, Native Lead is only used as a specimen for collectors, even though it is ugly.

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. Much lead is being replaced with other metals, particularly in piping, paints, and glasswork, due to its serious ability to cause 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 distinguish it from every mineral.
Help Commonly
Occurs With
Calcite, Hematite
Help Noteworthy
Localities
Franklin and Ogdensburg, both in Sussex Co., New Jersey, and the Harstig Mine in Sweden are basically the only known localities for Native Lead, although small amounts have been reported to be found in the state of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and in the Ural Mountains in Russia.
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