Mineral - Wulfenite
Wulfenite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Molybdates
Toxicity
low
Formula
Pb(MoO₄)
Unit Cell
a=5.44 c=12.07 Z=4
Physical Properties
Hardness
2.5 - 3
Streak
white
Density
Very Heavy (>6)
Cleavage
Distinct after {011}, indistinct after {001}
Fracture
conchoidal,
uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blackbrownredorangeyellowgreenbluecolorless
Birefringence
0.122
Luster
Greasy,
Adamantine
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
tetragonal
Point Group
tetragonal-dipyramidal - 4/m
Space Group
I4 1 /a (88)
Habit
leafy, blocky, dipyramidal, tabular
Formation
Secondarily, in the oxidation zone of lead deposits, through the alteration of lead-bearing primary sulfides (e.g., galena)
Paragenesis
Twinning
Contact twins after {001
Rarity
Common
Synonyms
Wulfenite
Composition
Elements
Mass
MoO₃
38.87
PbO
60.91
Morocco (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Scheelite-Group