Wulfenite
A variety of Scheelite Group
What is Wulfenite?
Wulfenite is incredibly common and easy to collect, with some of the most spectacular examples coming from areas of northern Mexico. It was first discovered in 1845 in Austria and named after a famed Austrian mineralogist. It is high in lead content, so use caution when handling this beautiful gem.
Uses & Applications
Wulfenite is a source of molybdenum in some areas. Molybdenum is used to increase the strength of alloys, as a lubricant additive, and in circuit board inks. This mineral is not commonly used for jewelry due to its softness, but is a popular specimen among collectors.
Healing Properties
Wulfenite is a stone that is said to work with the Crown chakra to encourage spiritual growth and wisdom. It is believed to help with depression and self-doubt. It encourages its user to remain steadfast even when surrounded by negative forces or tempting challenges. It enables the person to find courage and replace doubt with confidence. Most helpful for those seeking to break away from toxic behaviors and move forward to a greater purpose in life.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 2.280-2.405
- Birefringence
- 0.120-0.122
- Optical Character
- Uniaxial negative
Wulfenite Market Value Calculator
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Wulfenite Localities Map
See where Wulfenite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Wulfenite
The crystals of wulfenite are usually more tabular and thinner than those of scheelite, however, the more pyramidal and prismatic crystals show distinct hemimorphism.
Formation of Wulfenite
Wulfenite was first described in 1845 for an occurrence in Bad Bleiberg, Carinthia, Austria. It was named for Franz Xavier von Wulfen (1728–1805), an Austrian mineralogist. It occurs as a secondary mineral in oxidized hydrothermal lead deposits. It occurs with cerussite, anglesite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, vanadinite, pyromorphite, mimetite, descloizite, plattnerite and various iron and manganese oxides. A noted locality for wulfenite is the Red Cloud Mine in Arizona. Crystals are deep red in color and usually very well-formed. The Los Lamentos locality in Mexico produced very thick tabular orange crystals. Another locality is Mount Peca in Slovenia. The crystals are yellow, often with well-developed pyramids and bipyramids. In 1997, the crystal was depicted on a stamp by the Post of Slovenia. Lesser known localities of wulfenite include: Sherman Tunnel, St. Peter's Dome, Tincup-Tomichi-Moncarch mining districts, Pride of America mine and Bandora mine in Colorado. Small crystals also occur in Bulwell and Kirkby-in-Ashfield, England. These crystals occur in a galena-wulfenite-uraniferous asphaltite horizon in a magnesian limestone. The wulfenite found in this area is similar in properties (paragenetic sequence, low silver and antimony contents of the galenas and absence of pyromorphite) to the wulfenites of the Alps and may be similar in origin.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Harm Reason: Wulfenite dust is toxic because it contains heavy metals Lead.
- ⚠️Heavy Metal: Lead
- ⚠️How to prevent the risks of Wulfenite?
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Orange-yellow, yellow, honey-yellow, reddish-orange, rarely colourless, grey, brown, olive-green, black
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2.5 - 3
- Density
- 6.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous, Adamantine, Sub-adamantine
- Crystal System
- Tetragonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Pb(MoO4)
- Elements
- Mo, O, Pb
Also Known As
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