Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Dal'negorsk, Russia
SIZE : 19 x 10.5 cm

This sample displays cubic gray crystals of galena on rhombohedric crystals of cream white coloured dolomite.

It comes from the russian mineral deposit of Dal'negorsk, this deposit also provides beautiful samples of calcite. The specimen measures 19 x 10.5 cm, the pyrite crystals have an average diameter measure of 1.5 cm.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.
3D view: Alain Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Galena

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "γαλένε" [galêne] meaning "lead" and by Latin "galena" meaning "lead mineral"

Species described by Cauis Plinius Secundus better known as Pliny the Elder (23-79 après J.C.), an ancient author, naturalist or natural philosopher and naval and military commander

Type-locality: unknown
ANCIENT NAME : Mine de plomb grise, plomb sulfuré

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Pb S
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Cubic
COLOR : Lead gray
DIAPHANIETY : Opaque
LUSTER : Metallic
STREAK : Gray
MORPHOLOGY : Cubic crystals, seldomly cubo-octahedra or octahedra crystals
HARDNESS : 2,5-2,75
DENSITY : 7,57

CHEMICAL CLASS : II - Sulfides, arsenides
GROUP : Galena
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/C.15-40
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.CD.10

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Galena

Galena

MNHN N°200.48

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