Galena is the primary ore mineral of lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000 BC, it is found in ore veins with sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, fahlore etc., skarns, and in sedimentary rocks as beds or impregnations.The crystals are bright when fresh but often receive a dull tarnish after exposure to air.
Galena deposits often contain significant amounts of silver as included silver sulfide mineral phases or as limited solid solution within the galena structure. These argentiferous galenas have long been the most important ore of silver in mining. Galena is commonly mined and processed for lead, however, some galena crystals contain up to 1% silver.
In addition zinc, cadmium, antimony, arsenic and bismuth also occur in variable amounts in lead ores. Selenium substitutes for sulfur in the structure constituting a solid solution series.Galena also was a major mineral of the zinc-lead mines of the tri-state district around Joplin in southwestern Missouri and the adjoining areas of Kansas and Oklahoma. Galena is also an important ore mineral in the silver mining regions of Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Montana.
Sign of Galena:Capricorn
A 'stone of harmony', Galena creates balance on all levels and harmonizes the physical, etheric and spiritual planes. Facilitating holistic healing, it is excellent for doctors, homeopaths and herbalists and encourages further investigation and trials. A grounding stone that anchors the soul into incarnation, it assists in centring in oneself. Galena opens up the mind, expanding ideas and dissolving self-limiting mental assumptions from the past.
One of the earliest uses of galena was as kohl, which in Ancient Egypt, was applied around the eyes to reduce the glare of the desert sun and to repel flies, which were a potential source of disease.
Noted deposits include those at Freiberg, Saxony in UK, Bulgaria; the British Columbia; Australia. Galena also occurs in Northern Israel and the United States.
