Galena (Reflected Light)

Galena (PbS) optical properties using a reflected-light polarizing microscope (adapted from Spry & Gedlinske, 1987):

System: Cubic

Reflectance: Strong

Colour: White to light grey

VHN and polishing hardness: 59 - 65 / soft

Pleochroism: Nonpleochroic

Anisotropism: Isotropic

Internal reflections: Not present

Twinning: Not present

Commonly associated minerals: Acanthite-argentite, arsenopyrite, bournonite, chalcopyrite, cubanite, magnetite, marcasite, prousite, pyrargyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite-tennantite

Sample from the EOSC424 reflected light sample collection at UBC

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