Gold-bearing galena refers to lead sulfide specimens that contain inclusions or associated concentrations of native gold. Collectors often look for high-density metallic specimens where the silver-gray galena crystals are associated with quartz veins that may host visible gold flakes or wires.
Is this gold bearing galena?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch gold bearing galena with a known reference. Gold Bearing Galena sits at Mohs 2.5-2.75, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: lead-gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, silver-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: cubic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Gold Bearing Galena vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Gold Bearing Galena leaves lead-gray, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black.
How to tell apart: Sphalerite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2.5-2.75); streak differs, so Gold Bearing Galena leaves lead-gray, Sphalerite leaves pale brown to pale yellow and white; luster reads metallic on Gold Bearing Galena and resinous to adamantine on Sphalerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Gold Bearing Galena leaves lead-gray, Chalcocite leaves blackish lead-gray.
Often found alongside gold bearing galena
Minerals reported to co-occur with gold bearing galena. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbS
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-2.75
- Density
- 7.2-7.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Cubic crystals, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect cubic
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Ore of lead, Ore of silver, Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal veins
Where rockhounds find gold bearing galena
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Coeur d'Alene, USA
- Freiberg, Germany
- Sullivan Mine, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing sphalerite, chalcopyrite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: cubic crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
More gold bearing galena photos
Common questions
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Find gold bearing galena on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
