Crystal & mineral guide
Wulfenite
PbMoO₄
Thin orange tabular lead molybdate — iconic Arizona collector mineral.
Identify Wulfenite with RockScan Get on the App StoreAbout Wulfenite
Wulfenite forms thin square orange tables with adamantine flash. Soft and fragile. Minor molybdenum ore in some districts; mainly collected. Red Cloud (Arizona) and Mexican localities are legendary.
Wulfenite belongs in a crystal identifier workflow because photo cues — color zoning, crystal habit, and surface luster — combine with measurable traits like Mohs 2.5–3 and specific gravity 6.5–7.0. Use RockScan’s camera to get a first-pass ID, then confirm with the checklist below.
Wulfenite properties
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–3 |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Luster | Adamantine to resinous |
| Color | Orange, yellow, red-brown |
| Composition | Lead molybdate |
| Formation | Oxidation zones of lead-molybdenum deposits |
| Occurrence | Arizona, Mexico, Slovenia, Morocco, China |
| Specific gravity | 6.5–7.0 |
| Cleavage | Distinct |
How to identify Wulfenite
- Thin orange square tables
- Adamantine luster; very soft
- High SG
Collector notes
- Named for Austrian mineralogist Franz Xavier von Wulfen
- Red Cloud Mine wulfenite is a US mineral icon
Value context: Undamaged transparent orange tables on matrix are top-tier specimens.
Wulfenite FAQ
How do you identify Wulfenite?
Wulfenite (PbMoO₄) is typically recognized by orange, yellow, red-brown color, adamantine to resinous luster, Mohs hardness 2.5–3, and tetragonal crystal system. RockScan can suggest Wulfenite from a photo and surface these checks on the result card.
What is Wulfenite made of?
Wulfenite composition: Lead molybdate. It forms via oxidation zones of lead-molybdenum deposits and is found in Arizona, Mexico, Slovenia, Morocco, China.
Is Wulfenite valuable?
Undamaged transparent orange tables on matrix are top-tier specimens.
