Molybdite
Molybdite | |
---|---|
![]() Molybdite on molybdenite from the Questa Molybdenum Mine (size: 11.0 x 6.7 x 4.1 cm) | |
General | |
Category | Mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | MoO3 |
IMA symbol | Myb[1] |
Strunz classification | 4.EA.10 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Pbnm |
Unit cell | a = 3.96 Å, b = 13.85 Å, c = 3.69 Å; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Color | Light greenish yellow to nearly colorless |
Crystal habit | Flattened needles or thin plates may occur in aggregates |
Cleavage | Perfect on {100}, district on {001} |
Tenacity | Flexible |
Mohs scale hardness | 3 - 4 |
Luster | Adamantine |
Streak | White |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 4.72 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Birefringence | High |
2V angle | Large |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Molybdite is the naturally occurring mineral form of molybdenum trioxide MoO3. It occurs as yellow to greenish needles and crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system.
Discovery and occurrence[]
Molybdite was first described in 1854 for and occurrence in quartz veins in the area of Krupka, Krušné Hory Mountains in the Ústí Region of Bohemia, Czech Republic.[4] It occurs in vein cavities and as coatings in molybdenite ore veins and quartz topaz greisens. Associated minerals include molybdenite, and quartz.[3] The similar mineral ferrimolybdite is often misidentified as molybdite.[3]
References[]
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85: 291–320.
- ^ Mineralienatlas
- ^ a b c Molybdite on the Handbook of Mineralogy
- ^ a b Molybdite on Mindat.org
- ^ Molybdite data on Webmineral.com
Categories:
- Molybdenum minerals
- Oxide minerals
- Orthorhombic minerals
- Minerals in space group 62
- Oxide mineral stubs