Found Metallic Mineral--Need ID :cam: :whites:

[Brian in Ocala]

While detecting the back yard of a house that was bulldozed, I found this about 5 inches deep. Not sure what it is,but it's very heavy for its size. This is also my first post so hope it comes out OK. [attachment 112268 Foundwithdetector.JPG]

 

[GoGoGopher]

Wonder if it is lead???

HH,

 

[1859large]

It is naturally occurring mineral from which lead is produced. It is soft and has a strong cleavage / tendancy to part or split. If you take a white coffee mug and rub the specimen across the rough base you will get a black powder that is called a streak test. (Iron pyrite or fools gold will give the same result.) If you take a small piece of it and hammer it on an anvil or piece of steel it will result in black dust, lead would flatten out and you would end up with a very thin piece of lead and not powder. The cubic appearance is very typical for galena. The other mineral attached to it appears weathered so I cannot tell what it is but it could be the host rock which might help somebody figure out where it came from. Some research might tell you if it is local.



HH

1859

PS: Rocks are my trade. The first job I had was prospecting for lead and zinc. They often occur together.

 

[1859large]

If you google "gem galena" you will find people are selling specimens of galena that don't look as good as yours. Some for considerable dollars. In mineral collecting you need to know where it comes from, if you can figure that out you may get a better price.

HH

1859

 

[Thennigan]

You have a beautiful specimen of GALENA AND CHALCOPYRITE!
From the size it should fetch $125-250
Common to the Tri State area which is the corner of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri
Awesome mineral specimen mined for silver and lead.
I remember digging some on one of our high school field trips for Earth Science class.
Wish I could get some more specimens like yours!
Merry Christmas!!