Molybdenite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Islam90" title="User:Islam90">Islam90</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameMolybdenite
Chemical FormulaMoS₂
Mohs Hardness1.5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorbluish-gray to greenish-gray
Cleavageperfect basal (one direction)
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity4.75
Colorslead-gray, silvery-gray, bluish-gray
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityClimax, Colorado, USA; Knaben, Norway; various locations in Canada, China, Russia
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usesore of molybdenum, lubricant, catalyst, pigment
Associated Mineralsquartz, chalcopyrite, pyrite, scheelite, fluorite, wolframite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a microscopic view of molybdenite under normal and polarized light, highlighting its platy texture and optical anisotropy. Macroscopically, it is a soft, silvery-gray to lead-gray mineral typically found as flakes or massive aggregates with a distinct metallic luster.
Geological Context
Molybdenite commonly forms in high-temperature hydrothermal veins, porphyry molybdenum deposits, and contact metamorphic deposits, often associated with granitic intrusions. It is the primary ore mineral for molybdenum, an important industrial metal.
