galena

{{Infobox mineral | name = Galena | category = Sulfide mineral | image = Galena - Huallanca, Bologesi, Ancash, Peru.jpg | imagesize = 275px | caption = Galena with minor pyrite | formula = PbS | IMAsymbol = Gn | molweight = | strunz = 2.CD.10 | dana = 2.8.1.1 | system = Cubic | class = Hexoctahedral (mm) H–M symbol: ( ) | symmetry = Fmm | unit cell = a = 5.936 Å; Z = 4 | color = Lead gray and silvery | habit = Cubes and octahedra, blocky, tabular and sometimes skeletal crystals | twinning = Contact, penetration and lamellar | cleavage = Cubic perfect on {001}, parting on {111} | fracture = Subconchoidal | tenacity = Brittle | mohs = 2.5–2.75 | luster = Metallic on cleavage planes | refractive = | opticalprop = Isotropic and opaque | birefringence = | pleochroism = | streak = Lead gray | gravity = 7.2–7.6 | density = | melt = | fusibility = 2 | diagnostic = | solubility = | diaphaneity = Opaque | other = Natural semiconductor | references = }} Galena, also called lead glance, is the natural mineral form of lead(II) sulfide (PbS). It is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver.

Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms. It is often associated with the minerals sphalerite, calcite and fluorite.