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