Lead iron is an exceptionally rare mineral species found in metallic ore deposits, often appearing as subtle metallic gray masses. Collectors should be aware of its lead content and handle samples with standard safety precautions to avoid ingestion or inhalation of particles.
Is this lead iron?
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 iron with a known reference. Lead Iron sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, lead-gray, black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or disseminated grains.
Often confused with
Lead Iron vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lead Iron leaves gray, Galena leaves lead-gray.
How to tell apart: Magnetite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Lead Iron leaves gray, Magnetite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Hematite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2.5-3); streak differs, so Lead Iron leaves gray, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown.
Often found alongside lead iron
Minerals reported to co-occur with lead iron. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbFe
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.5-7.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, granular, or disseminated grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- hydrothermal veins, metamorphic ore deposits
Where rockhounds find lead iron
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Broken Hill, Australia
- Langban, Sweden
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins, metamorphic ore deposits. If you start seeing galena, sphalerite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, granular, or disseminated grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Nevada. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find lead iron on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
