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wulfenite

Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral with the chemical formula PbMoO4. It forms in the oxidized zones of lead-rich ore deposits, where it crystallizes from lead-bearing fluids as a secondary mineral. It is best known for its vivid orange, yellow, or red crystals, which are commonly tabular and can form thin plates or wedges. Wulfenite crystals are usually translucent to transparent with a vitreous luster and a Mohs hardness of about 3. Specific gravity is high, typically around 6.5 to 7.0, reflecting the lead content.

Wulfenite occurs worldwide in oxidized lead deposits. Notable sources include the Tsumeb deposit in Namibia and

Wulfenite was named after Franz Xaver von Wulfen, an 18th-century Austrian mineralogist. The mineral is primarily

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the
Red
Cloud
Mine
in
Arizona,
United
States,
with
other
significant
occurrences
in
Mexico,
Australia,
and
Europe.
Collectors
prize
wulfenite
for
its
color
and
crystal
form;
it
is
not
a
major
ore
of
lead
or
molybdenum.
of
interest
to
collectors
and
researchers
for
its
striking
crystals
and
color
range,
rather
than
for
industrial
ore
use.