Powellite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY 3.0)
Mineral NamePowellite
Chemical FormulaCaMoO4
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemtetragonal
Lusteradamantine
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {011}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity4.29
Colorsorange-brown, yellow, greenish-yellow, colorless
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityChuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Mineral GroupMolybdates
Usescollector, minor ore of molybdenum
Associated Mineralsbrochantite, quartz
Rarityuncommon
Description
The image displays several orange-brown, bipyramidal crystals of Powellite, prominently situated amidst a matrix of vibrant green, acicular Brochantite crystals and smaller, colorless to white Quartz crystals.
Geological Context
Powellite is typically found as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of molybdenum-bearing ore deposits, often associated with other secondary copper minerals like brochantite in environments such as the Chuquicamata mine.
