Wulfenite
Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
11.31 carats
© Rarestone.com
It occurs as thin tabular crystals with a bright orange-red to yellow-orange colour, sometimes brown.
Wulfenite has very attractive gemmy appearance, but the crystals are often much too thin and brittle for cutting.
Wulfenite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Wulfenite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Wulfenite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.98 cts
Heaviest:11.31 cts
Average:3.96 cts
Total photos:6
Do you have a larger Wulfenite? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Photos of natural/un-cut material from mindat.org | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Physical Properties of Wulfenite | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 3, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 6.50 to 7.00, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heat Sensitivity | Very sensitive, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Wulfenite | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 2.280 to 2.405, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/-, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.120 to 0.122, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Honey-yellow, orange, red., Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent,Translucent, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Adamantine,Resinous, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV) | Inert to weak purplish, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Wulfenite | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Tetragonal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Individual crystals are usually square, flat tabular., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Occurs as a secondary mineral formed in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal lead deposits with the Mo commonly introduced externally., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Wulfenite information at mindat.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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