Identification guide · Metals & Alloys
How to Identify Lead
Lead is usually bluish gray, dark gray, and dull silver with a metallic luster and is opaque. It has a Mohs hardness of 1.5. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Its streak is lead gray. It is most often confused with Galena, Aluminum, and Pewter; the tests below separate them.
Lead identification checklist
| Color | Bluish gray, Dark gray, Dull silver | Look at a clean, dry surface in daylight. Color zoning, banding or spots are as diagnostic as the hue. |
|---|---|---|
| Luster | Metallic | Turn it under a lamp: a true metallic shine reflects like polished metal and stays opaque at thin edges. |
| Transparency | Opaque | Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through. |
| Mohs hardness | 1.5 | A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. |
| Streak | Lead gray | Drag a corner across unglazed porcelain (the back of a bathroom tile) and check the powder color. |
| Cleavage | None | |
| Fracture | Ductile to uneven | |
| Specific gravity | 11.34 | Very heavy, metallic heft (specific gravity about 11.34). |
Lead look-alikes and how to tell them apart
Galena is harder (Mohs 2.5) than Lead (Mohs 1.5), so Galena will scratch Lead and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Lead vs Galena →
Aluminum is harder (Mohs 2.75) than Lead (Mohs 1.5), so Aluminum will scratch Lead and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Lead vs Aluminum →
Pewter is harder (Mohs 2.5) than Lead (Mohs 1.5), so Pewter will scratch Lead and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Lead vs Pewter →
Sterling Silver is harder (Mohs 2.7) than Lead (Mohs 1.5), so Sterling Silver will scratch Lead and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
Field tips
- Look for a very dense dull gray metal.
- Lead is soft enough to scratch more easily than many metals.
- Fresh scratches may look brighter silver before dulling.
- Old weights, sinkers, bullets, and shielding can be lead.
Lead identification FAQ
How can you tell if a rock is Lead?
Check the color (bluish gray, dark gray, and dull silver), the metallic luster, a Mohs hardness of 1.5 and a lead gray streak. Photographing it with the StoneSnap app gives a match in seconds.
What is the hardness of Lead?
Lead has a Mohs hardness of 1.5. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
What is the difference between Lead and Galena?
Lead (Mohs 1.5, metallic luster) and Galena (Mohs 2.5, metallic, bright luster) look alike, but hardness, streak and heft usually separate them. See the full Lead vs Galena comparison for a side-by-side table.
Is Lead worth anything?
Entry-level Lead specimens sell for around $1, typical collector pieces about $10, and premium examples $80 or more depending on size, quality and locality.
What color is Lead?
Lead is most often bluish gray, dark gray, and dull silver. Color varies with impurities and locality, so confirm with hardness and luster rather than color alone.
