RocksdayGalena vs Hematite
How to tell them apart
Lead sulfide and the world's main lead ore. Bright silvery cubes that feel astonishingly heavy for their size.
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0
Iron oxide and the world's most important iron ore. It can be shiny steel-gray or earthy red, but always leaves a reddish streak.
Photo: Wikipedia Loves Art participant "Assignment_Houston_One", CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick tests
- Hardness: Hematite is clearly harder: Mohs 5.5–6.5 versus 2.5–2.75.
- Streak (rub on unglazed porcelain): Galena leaves a lead gray streak; Hematite leaves reddish brown.
- Heft: Galena feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 7.4–7.6 vs 5.26).
Key differences
- Hematite leaves a reddish-brown streak and is much harder.
- Galena is much softer, heavier and breaks into cubes.
Side by side
| Property | Galena | Hematite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–2.75 | 5.5–6.5 |
| Luster | Metallic | Metallic to earthy |
| Streak | Lead gray | Reddish brown |
| Colors | Silver, Gray | Silver, Black, Red |
| Crystal system | Cubic | Trigonal |
| Specific gravity | 7.4–7.6 | 5.26 |
| Formula | PbS | Fe₂O₃ |
| Found in | Viburnum Trend, Missouri; Tri-State district, USA | Lake Superior iron ranges; Carajás, Brazil |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify galena
- Very heavy — noticeably heavier than any similar-sized rock.
- Bright silver-gray metallic, dulling over time.
- Breaks into perfect little cubes.
- Soft enough to scratch with a fingernail edge or coin.
Crystal system: Cubic
Full Galena guide →How to identify hematite
- Reddish-brown streak — the key test, even on silvery pieces.
- Heavy for its size.
- Not magnetic (or only weakly).
- Sometimes forms bubbly 'kidney ore' masses.
Crystal system: Trigonal
Full Hematite guide →More comparisons
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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