Home > Lead Minerals – December 10 > MS1448 native Lead

native Lead - Sold


Lead is a metal known since ancient times. Early civilizations learned how to extract lead from minerals by heating them in fire; this is among the earliest metallurgy. Metallic lead artifacts found in present day Iraq date back 8000 years. While long known from its ores, naturally occurring metallic lead waited until the 19th century for recognition. Långban and nearby deposits are unusual mineral deposits which form native lead in some quantity, including masses to 51 kg at Långban!

Långban has been long closed, and rarely specimens of lead are found in dump materials. This specimen leafy lead has formed on a fracture surface of hausmannite matrix. The leafy aggregates are crudely formed and have a greenish patina. This hand specimen likely dates to the active mining period prior to WWII. A rich and appealing example.