Galena: The Dazzling Mineral with Cubic Cleavage

What mineral has a dense silvery appearance and breaks with cubic cleavage?

The mineral that has a dense silvery appearance and breaks with cubic cleavage is option 3: Galena. How is it so?

Watch out for the explanation!

Explanation

Galena is a lead sulfide mineral (PbS) and is known for its dense, silvery appearance. It often has a metallic luster and can be quite shiny when freshly exposed. The cubic cleavage of galena is one of its distinguishing characteristics. Cleavage is the way a mineral breaks along planes of weakness, and in the case of galena, it breaks into perfect cubic or rectangular fragments. This distinctive cleavage property helps identify galena when examining mineral specimens.

Quartz, pyrite, and feldspar have different physical properties and do not exhibit the dense silvery appearance with cubic cleavage that is characteristic of galena.

Discover the Beauty of Galena

Galena, with its dense silvery appearance and cubic cleavage, is truly a captivating mineral. Its stunning metallic luster and perfect cubic fragments make it stand out among other minerals.

When exploring the world of minerals, make sure to keep an eye out for galena. Its unique features and appearance are sure to catch your attention and spark your curiosity.