Wulfenite and Calcite

UNB-2020-0283Minerals » Molybdate » Wulfenite

Description

Large sample with orange subhedral pseudo-tetragonal/cube-like Wulfenite crystals (Largest Crystal: 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm.x 0.5 cm)with a resinous lustre embedded into small, brown stalactitic Calcite crystals (Average Crystal size: 0.2 cm x 0.05 cm x 0.05 cm). Wulfenite (PbMoO4) can be yellow, orange, brown, yellowish grey or whitish in colour. Lustre is resinous or adamantine and streak is white. Hardness is 3 and cleavage is distinct in one direction. Wulfenite usually occurs as pseudo-tetragonal due to twinning but can also be square tabular, cube-like, massive or coarse to fine granular. Calcite (CaCO3) can be white, colourless, pale shades of grey, yellow, red, green, blue or brown to black when impure. Lustre is vitreous or dull and streak is white. Hardness is 3 and cleavage is perfect in three directions forming a rhombohedron. Calcite usually occurs as rhombohedrons, scalenohedrons or prisms but can also be tabular, acicular, cleavage, granular, compact, stalactitic, oolitic or earthy. Twinned crystals are common.

Specifications

Object nameWulfenite and Calcite
IDUNB-2020-0283
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Molybdate
Sub-group:
Wulfenite
Composition
  • PbMoO4
OriginUnknown
Pieces1
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 11cm x 9.2cm x 7.1cm

Publications

  • Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.