Extraordinary Wulfenite Crystal

Extraordinary Wulfenite Crystal. From: Albuñuelas, Granada, Spain. Photo: Christian Rewitzer

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.

Wulfenite, lead molybdate, PbMoO₄, a minor source of molybdenum and the second most common molybdenum mineral. It occurs in the oxidized zone of lead and molybdenum deposits. It can be most often found as thin tabular crystals with a bright orange-red to yellow-orange color, sometimes brown, although the color can be highly variable. In its yellow form it is sometimes called "yellow lead ore".

It occurs in the oxidized zone of lead and molybdenum deposits. Fine crystals have been found at Příbram, Czech Republic; Yuma County, Ariz., U.S.; and Mapimi, Durango, Mex. Other localities include Germany, Austria, Sardinia, and Australia.