Skip To Content
Go to gemstones.com homepage
Recommended searches
Gemopedia
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
  • Moissanite
  • Diamond
  • Peridot
  • Opal
  • Tanzanite
  • All Gemstones in Gemopedia
Shop Gemstones
  • Shop Jedora Gemstones
  • Shop JTV Gemstones
Videos
  • Tourmaline Mining in Brazil
  • Freshwater Pearls vs. Saltwater Pearls
  • History of Birthstones
  • Design and Wax Carving
  • Ruby Gemstone Spotlight
  • Fun Facts about Diamonds
  • Going Down A Tanzanite Mine
  • Fun Facts About Sapphire
  • All Videos
Articles
  • Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Beauty
  • Gemstone Color
  • Gemstone Origins
  • Optical Properties
  • Rare Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Luster
  • Phenomenal Gemstones
  • All Articles
Showcase Collections
  • Quartz Gemstones
  • Organic Gemstones
  • American Gemstones
  • Birthstones
  • Mineral Specimens
  • Colors of Tourmaline
  • All Showcases
Gemstone Discovery App
  • Download the App
About Us
  • About Us
Feedback
  • Survey
  • Gemstones Home
  • Gemopedia
  • Wulfenite

Wulfenite

Wulfenite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: January 2022
Wulfenite Polished Wulfenite Rough
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Wulfenite Colors
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care
  • Related Videos

Known for its striking orange, yellow, and red hues, nice luster, and unique crystal habits, wulfenite is a lead molybdate that is found in the oxidation zone of lead-ore deposits. Wulfenite typically forms thin, tabular crystals. Finding a crystal thick enough to fashion into a gem is challenging.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Wulfenite
Species
Wulfenite
Transparency
Transparent - Translucent
Dispersion
Strength: Strong Fire Value: 0.203
Refractive Index
Over The Limit 2.280-2.400
Birefringence
0.12-0.122
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Negative
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to weak yellow, orange or red
LWUV: Inert to weak red
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Hardness
3
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
6.500-7.000
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Adamantine, Resinous
Fracture
Uneven, Subconchoidal
Cleavage
Good, in one direction, Poor, in two directions
Chemical Name
lead molybdate
Chemical Formula
PbMoO4
Crystal System
Tetragonal

Wulfenite Colors

  • Brown Wulfenite
    Brown
  • Orange Wulfenite
    Orange
  • Brown Wulfenite
    Brown
  • Red Wulfenite
    Red
  • Green Wulfenite
    Green
  • Colorless Wulfenite
    Colorless
  • Gray Wulfenite
    Gray
  • White Wulfenite
    White
  • Black Wulfenite
    Black

Countries of Origin

United States of America (the); Unknown; Namibia; Mexico

Care

Very soft , careful handling

Related Videos

Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Partner Invitation

©  America's Collectibles Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.