Wulfenite

Lead Molybdate
PbMoO₄

Wulfenite is a mineral which is very popular among mineral collectors around the world. The strong color, nice luster and its one-of-a-kind crystal habits have made it so popular. It has been named after an Austrian mineralogist, Franz Xavier Wulfen (1728-1805).

Wulfenite is most commonly found as thin tabular crystals having bright orange-red to yellow-orange color. Sometimes it is also found in brown color. The yellow form of Wulfenite is sometimes called "yellow lead ore."

Wulfenite is mostly found in the various localities which are associated with lead ores.

Physical Properties of Wulfenite

Color	Red, orange, yellow, silver and white
Luster	Vitreous
Transparency	Crystals are transparent to translucent
Crystal system	Tetragonal; 4/m or 4
Crystal habits	Very thin square or octahedral pinacoidal plates with pyramidal faces truncating just to the edges of the crystal.
Cleavage	Perfect in one direction
Hardness	3
Specific gravity	Approximately 6.8 (It is very heavy for translucent minerals)
Fracture	Conchoidal
Streak	White

Associated Minerals of Wulfenite

• Mimetite
• Limonite
• Smithsonite
• Vanadinite
• Galena

Uses of Wulfenite

• As a minor ore of molybdenum
• As a mineral specimen

Occurrences of Wulfenite

• Morocco
• Tsumeb, Nambia
• Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico in the USA