How to identify Wulfenite

To correctly identify Wulfenite (PbMoO4), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Typically bright orange-red, yellow, or yellowish-orange. Less commonly brown, gray, green, or colorless.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Adamantine to resinous, sometimes greasy.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Crystals are typically well-formed, often tabular and square, or pyramidal. Can also be granular or earthy.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Tetragonal system, commonly forming thin, square, tabular crystals, often with bevelled edges. Also found as bipyramidal or prismatic crystals. Crystals can be very thin and delicate.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Distinct on {011}, but often difficult to observe due to its brittle nature and thin crystal habit.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Oxidized zones of lead-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits, often associated with limestone or other carbonate host rocks. Found in association with minerals like cerussite, anglesite, galena, limonite, and vanadinite.

Key Facts

Hardness

2.5-3 on the Mohs scale (relatively soft).

Specific Gravity

6.5-7.0 (very heavy for a non-metallic mineral, due to lead content).

Crystal System

Tetragonal.

Color

Varies widely, most commonly yellow, orange, or orange-red. Can also be brown, gray, green, or colorless.

Luster

Adamantine to resinous, sometimes greasy.

Transparency

Transparent to translucent.

Fracture

Uneven to subconchoidal.

Cleavage

Distinct on {011}, but often imperfect and difficult to observe.

Composition

Lead Molybdate (PbMoO4).

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Typically thin, tabular, square crystals, often with bevelled edges. Also bipyramidal, prismatic, granular, or earthy.
• Cleavage Type: Distinct {011}, but often imperfect.
• Fracture Type: Uneven to subconchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle.
• Luster Type: Adamantine to resinous.

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