What's That Rock?Galena
The main ore of lead. It forms shiny, silvery-gray cubes and is surprisingly heavy.
Safety
Contains lead. Wash hands after handling, do not put it in your mouth, and avoid breathing dust. Keep away from small children.
How to identify Galena
- Very heavy for its size
- Splits into perfect cubes
- Soft: scratched by a copper coin
Often confused with
- Stibnite
- Sphalerite
- Steel-like man-made ores
Is Galena valuable?
Inexpensive.
Typical retail prices
Collector specimen$10–150each
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Crystals: sharp, shiny cubes or octahedrons are the collector form
- Matrix and associates: pieces with other minerals (calcite, fluorite, pyrite) cost more
- Origin: Missouri, Joplin and Peruvian specimens are well known
- Contains lead: wash hands after handling; it is a toxic mineral
Uses
- Source of lead
- Early radio crystal detectors
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026