Name/Title
WulfeniteEntry/Object ID
2004.1.174Description
Assemblage Zone: oxidation zone
Chemical Composition: PbMo4
Crystal System: Tetragonal System
Description: Common Name: Wulfenite
Chemistry: PbMoO4, Lead Molybdate
Class: Sulfates
Group Name: Tugstates
Uses: A minor ore of molybdenum and as mineral specimens
Location:
Description: Specimen of wulfenite with beautifully planar crystals colored a caramel shade on a dark brown base..
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is red, orange, yellow, silver and white.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is tetragonal; 4/m or 4
Crystal Habits include very thin square or octahedral pinacoidal plates with pyramidal faces truncating just the edges of the crystal. At times the pyramids become prominant and psuedo-dipyramidal crystal habits are seen, sometimes because of twinning. Prismatic faces are also seen and can make psuedo-cubic crystals. Also encrusting and cavernous aggregates due to intergrowth of crystal plates.
Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 6.8 (very heavy for translucent minerals)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are mimetite, limonite, smithsonite, vanadinite and galena.
Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 2.28-2.40 (very high, but typical of lead minerals).
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color, density and luster.
Fracture: Conchoidal
Grain Size: Crystalline
Hardness: 3 Calcite
Luster: Glassy
Occurrence: Wulfenite is found in many localities, associated with lead ores as a secondary mineral associated with the oxidized zone of lead deposits. It is also a secondary ore of molybdenum, and is sought by collectors.
Occurs in the oxidation zone through out the world but the most notable occurances include Morocco; Tsumeb, Nambia; Mexico and Arizona and New Mexico, USA.
Rock Color: Medium
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 6.8
Streak: White
Texture: Crystalline
Variety: 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 not hard enough to be classified as a gemstoneCollection
Suomynona Mineral Collection, Suomynona CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2004.1Source or Donor
Suomynona Mineral CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationOther Names and Numbers
Other Number
Other Number: 2004.1Dimensions
Width
2-3/16 inDepth
13/16 inLength
2-5/8 inDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Container
LeftDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
Right, RightWall
NorthBuilding
Founders RoomCategory
PermanentMoved By
Ray BlohmDate
February 20, 2012Location
Shelf
LeftCabinet
Case # 7Room
Mentzer HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
Permanent
