Wulfenite
Species
Uncommon · PbMoO₄
Lead molybdate forming thin tabular crystals in the oxidised zones of lead ore deposits. Its orange to yellow colour and high density are distinctive. Named after Franz Xavier Wulfen, a Jesuit who wrote on the lead ores of Bleiberg in Austria.
Identity
- Formula
- PbMoO₄
- Chemical class
- Molybdate
- Also known as
- Yellow lead ore, Lead molybdate
- Ore of
- Molybdenum
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Habits
- Tabular, Pyramidal, Massive
- Fracture
- Subconchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Luster
- Adamantine, Resinous
- Colors
- orange, yellow, red, gray
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Sedimentary
- Associated minerals
- Vanadinite, Mimetite, Pyromorphite, Cerussite
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- USA (Arizona), Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Austria
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- No
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Wulfenite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- Wulfénite. Wikipédia, l'encyclopédie libre (fr).
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