✅ SOLVED Minerals Embedded in Lead? What or Why?

[WoodnHead]

Hi,

I recently bought an old button lot on Ebay and in the bag were these four pieces. I believe they are lead as they are very heavy and easily leave a mark on paper. They look like chunks of minerals, maybe pyrite etc..., deliberately embedded in lead. Just curious if anyone has seen this before or was this probably just a random thing someone did?

 

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[jewelerguy]

they look like natural pieces of lead ore set in melted refined lead

 

[Goldfinger450]

As one Jeweler Guy to another ,, Yes, the lead could have been used as a way to mount for a Display? Best guess.

 

[bradyboy]

why do you thinks they are emeralds?
what is the history?

 

[olroy70]

they are crystals set for an old crystal set radio.... sure wish I had my dad's old set. a whisker (spring loaded wire) you had to pic a spot on it to get a signal... they were set into a holder with a screw to clamp and hold the lead
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ph...916317?hash=item2856db7b1d:g:kEAAAOSwGWBaxqp-

 

[WoodnHead]

I'm not sure anyone thought they were emeralds?

 

[WoodnHead]

they are crystals set for an old crystal set radio.... sure wish I had my dad's old set. a whisker (spring loaded wire) you had to pic a spot on it to get a signal... they were set into a holder with a screw to clamp and hold the lead
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ph...916317?hash=item2856db7b1d:g:kEAAAOSwGWBaxqp-

Ok... that is very cool! That certainly looks like what they are. Now, I wonder if they're worth anything. :^D Do the crystals hold up or do they eventually wear out and need to be replaced? I don't know if somehow what gives them their mojo would get depleted etc... I guess I'll mark solved. I knew someone would have seen something like them before! Thanks!

 

[olroy70]

 

[Iron Buzz]

they are crystals set for an old crystal set radio.... sure wish I had my dad's old set. a whisker (spring loaded wire) you had to pic a spot on it to get a signal... they were set into a holder with a screw to clamp and hold the lead
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ph...916317?hash=item2856db7b1d:g:kEAAAOSwGWBaxqp-

Oh, of course!! I had one when I was a kid, too. The wire was known as a "cat's whisker". The crystal is galena, a lead ore.

 

[Mdbri]

Galena crystals for radio, it’s primary ore for lead and it has silver too, they are collectible (I have several) and last I saw 10 to 20 each

 

[SkaBa]

Nice I.D. olroy70 !!!

 

[jewelerguy]

they are crystals set for an old crystal set radio....

always heard of crystal radios but never had seen one. whoever invented them must have been smoking some serious weed