Wulfenite
Image: Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameWulfenite
Chemical FormulaPbMoO4
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemtetragonal
Lusterresinous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagedistinct on {011}, indistinct on {001}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity6.5
Colorsyellow, orange, red, brown, gray, white
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityCarnoulès Mine, Saint-Sébastien-d'Aigrefeuille, Gard, France
Mineral GroupMolybdates
Usescollector, minor ore of molybdenum, minor ore of lead
Associated Mineralscerussite, anglesite, mimetite, vanadinite, pyromorphite, limonite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This image displays bright yellow to orange, thin, tabular, square-shaped crystals of wulfenite, often forming aggregates or individual crystals on a matrix. The crystals exhibit a distinct resinous to adamantine luster.
Geological Context
Wulfenite is a secondary mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of lead-zinc deposits, where lead-bearing solutions react with molybdenum-bearing solutions. It forms under arid or semi-arid conditions.
