How do you identify wulfenite?
How do you identify wulfenite?
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….
| Wulfenite | |
|---|---|
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3 |
| Luster | Adamantine, resinous |
| Streak | White |
Where can uraninite be found?
Uraninite has been obtained from hydrothermal vein deposits, such as those at Jáchymov and in adjacent places in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) in Germany. Other vein deposits occur at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada and in the Lake Athabasca district of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Where is wulfenite found?
In the United States, collectors can find several places were fine specimens of Wulfenite can be found. Arizona, Washington, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, and California are the best places to look for Wulfenite. The most valuable specimens for collectors are primarily found in Arizona.
Does wulfenite contain lead?
Wulfenite is a secondary lead (Pb) mineral, which means it is formed during the oxidation (weathering) of galena, the primary lead mineral. Because wulfenite contains lead, it’s pretty heavy for having such thin and delicate crystals! Those crystals are tetragonal and usually found as tabular, flat, square plates.
Is autunite a crystal?
Autunite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and often occurs as tabular square crystals, commonly in small crusts or in fan-like masses. Due to the moderate uranium content of 48.27% it is radioactive and also used as uranium ore. Autunite fluoresces bright green to lime green under UV light.
Is wulfenite a rare mineral?
Wulfenite is a rare secondary mineral and very beautiful gem. It is rare because crystals are usually small, tabular and thin. Beautifully colored gems have been faceted from intense orange and reddish orange crystals found at the Red Cloud Mine (and others) in Arizona.
Is wulfenite mined?
Wulfenite coated with hemimorphite and vanadinite was mined at the Finch Mine in the Dripping Spring Mountains. Other notable localities are the Rowley Mine that has produced amazing wulfenite specimens, some of which include blood-red balls of crystallized mimetite atop transparent orange crystals.
