Galena
From cornish semiconductor corporation
More actions
- Lustre:Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull
- Transparency:Opaque
- Colour:Lead-grey
- Streak:Lead-grey
- Hardness:2½ on Mohs scale
- Tenacity:Brittle
- Cleavage:Perfect {001}
- Parting:{111}
- Fracture:Sub-Conchoidal
The "OG" semiconducting mineral from the early days of radio, galena was chosen as it was the best material for converting radio frequencies into audible signals, by removing the lower half of the modulation. Often combined with silver cat's whisker contacts. Silver bearing (argentiferous) galena was said to be the best form.
Has a higher overall resistance than the pyrites and seems to gradually lose it's properties as it becomes tarnished.