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Chemical Formula | Pb |
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Composition | Lead |
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Color | Light-gray to slightly bluish-gray |
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Streak | Light-gray. Streak shiny. |
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Hardness | 1½ |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Isometric) Occurs as small grains, and sometimes as thin flakes, bust most often in massive form. |
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Transparency | Opaque |
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Specific Gravity | 11.3 |
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Luster | Metallic |
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Cleavage | None |
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Fracture | Hackly |
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Tenacity | Malleable, ductile, and sectile |
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Other ID Marks | Oxidizes to a slightly bluish-gray color |
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Other Names |  Native Lead |
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In Group | Native elements ; Metallic elements |
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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. |
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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. |
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Striking Features | Light-gray color, heaviness, and softness (can be scratched with a fingernail) |
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Complex Tests | Dissolves in nitric acid |
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Popularity (1-4) | 3 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
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Demand (1-3) | 2 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
The distinctive properties of Lead can distinguish it from every mineral. |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Calcite, Hematite |
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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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Picture Icon Links |
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Picture Links | Sorry. No Images currently available. |
