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 name | Wulfenite and Calcite |
|---|---|
| ID | UNB-2020-0283 |
| Legal status | Permanent collection |
| Category | Mineral |
| Classification | Mineral group: Molybdate Sub-group: Wulfenite |
| Composition |
|
| Origin | Unknown |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Partial | No |
| Measurements |
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Publications
- Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.