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. 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, gray white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: blocky.
Often confused with
Lead vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 11.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Blocky
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Geological study
- Host rock
- A rare mineral of hydrothermal origin, and found in placers; possibly also formed by authigenic processes and known to replace tree roots
Where rockhounds find lead
40 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Parker shaft at Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Jay Gould mine, Wood River district, and near Hailey, Mineral Hill district, Blaine Co., Idaho, USA
- Tubac, Santa Cruz Co., where it replaced tree roots, Arizona, USA
- Shafter district, Presidio Co., Texas, USA
- El Dorado, Gran Sabana, Venezuela
- Keno Hill, Yukon Territory, Canada
U.S. states with lead
Each link opens a state-specific list of mapped rockhounding spots that produce lead.
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare mineral of hydrothermal origin, and found in placers; possibly also formed by authigenic processes and known to replace tree roots. If you start seeing hydrocerussite, caryopilite, sarkinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blocky. 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.
More lead photos
Common questions
How do you identify lead?+
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Find lead on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
