Native lead is an extremely rare metallic mineral that typically occurs as small grains or masses rather than well-defined crystals. It is easily identified by its characteristic high density, extreme softness, and dull lead-gray color that often tarnishes to a darker shade. Most collectors encounter lead in a geological context as a secondary mineral within the oxidation zones of lead-bearing ore deposits.
Is this lead?
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 lead with a known reference. Lead sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lead leaves a blue-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lead typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, dull gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: rarely as crystals, usually as massive, granular, or platy masses.
Often confused with
Lead vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Galena is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.5 vs. 1.5); streak differs — Lead leaves blue-gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lead leaves blue-gray, Graphite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lead leaves blue-gray, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside lead
Minerals reported to co-occur with lead. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 11.34 g/cm³
- Streak
- Blue-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Rarely as Crystals, Usually as Massive, Granular, Or Platy Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Geological Study
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Ore Deposits and Low-temperature Replacement Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and provenance
Where rockhounds find lead
40 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Långban, Sweden
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Sala, Sweden
- Kongsberg, Norway
U.S. states with lead
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce lead.
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in ore deposits and low-temperature replacement deposits country — that is the host setting where lead typically forms. If you start seeing galena, cerussite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rarely as crystals, usually as massive, granular, or platy masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Nevada, Idaho, Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find lead on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
