Mineral Species: Galena

Chemical Formula: PbS

Chemical Name: Lead Sulfide

Mineral Class: Sulfide

Mineral Notes: Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfides. It is the main ore of lead and frequently contains valuable amounts of Silver and occasionally Zinc.

Description: Two sheets of Galena which have fused together surrounding a central cavity. The Galena is highly crystalline and many individual crystals can be seen. Close examination shows that the Galena has actually grown as a sandwich around an inner core of white Quartz. Another interesting feature is that the specimen must once have formed on a bed of cubic Fluorite crystals. The clear impression of their form can be seen underneath the lowe Galena sheet. Mineralogically this is an extremely interesting and unusual specimen.

Location: Smallcleugh Mine, Nenthead, Cumbria, England.