Wulfenite
Image: Freddo213 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameWulfenite
Chemical FormulaPbMoO4
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemtetragonal
Lusteradamantine
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {011}, indistinct on {001}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity6.5
Colorsred, orange, yellow, brown, gray, white
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityNamib Lead Mine, Rössing Mountains area, Arandis Constituency, Erongo Region, Namibia
Mineral GroupMolybdates
Usescollector, minor ore of molybdenum
Associated Mineralscerussite, anglesite, galena, mimetite, vanadinite, limonite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This image displays several vibrant, deep red Wulfenite crystals, exhibiting a tabular to bipyramidal habit, nestled within a dark, possibly oxidized, rock matrix.
Geological Context
Wulfenite is a secondary mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal deposits, often forming in arid or semi-arid environments where lead and molybdenum are present.
