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Wulfenite



Wulfenite

Wulfenite specimen from the Glove Mine, Arizona
General
CategoryMineral
Chemical formulaPb[[[Mo]]O4]]
Identification
Molecular Weight367.14 gm
ColorYellow to Brown
Crystal habitTabular, bipyrmidal
Crystal systemTetragonal
Twinningtwins on the [001] common
Cleavageimperfect-[101]
Fractureirregular
TenacityBrittle
Mohs Scale hardness3
LusterAdamantine, Resinous
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
StreakWhite
Density6.5-7.0
DiaphaneityTransparent to Translucent

Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral with the formula PbMoO4.

It can be most often found as thin tabular crystals with a bright orange-red to yellow-orange color, sometimes brown, although the color can be highly variable. In its yellow form it is sometimes called "yellow lead ore".

Wulfenite is named for Franz Xavier von Wulfen (1728-1805), an Austrian mineralogist.

Wulfenite is found in many localities, associated with lead ores. A secondary mineral associated with the oxidized zone of lead deposits. Wulfenite is a heavy mineral with a specific gravity of 6.5-7.0.

Wulfenite is in the tetragonal system, often stubby, pyrimidal, tabular, massive, granular, and earthy. It shows a white streak, and has a hardness of 2.75 - 3.0 on Mohs Hardness scale.

A secondary ore of molybdenum, sought after by collectors.    

References

  • Wulfenite
  • Webmineral data
  • Mindat.org

See also

 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Wulfenite". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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