1.3" Wulfenite and Mimetite Association - Mexico

This specimen contains yellow-orange wulfenite crystals that formed in associaiton with mimetite. This specimen was collected from the San Francisco Mine in Sonora, Mexico.

Wulfenite is a lead-based molybdate mineral with a chemical formula Pb(MoO4). It forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of hydrothermal lead deposits, its color ranging anywhere between yellow to bright orange and red and occasionally brown. Typically forming as tabular, stubby, or pyramidal crystals, this unique mineral can be both brilliantly transparent and opaque.

While these crystals are safe to hold, due to the fact that they are lead-based we strongly recommend washing your hands after handling.

Mimetite is a lead chloro-arsenate mineral with the chemical formula of Pb5(AsO4)3Cl. Depending on conditions during formation/replacement, arsenate radicals (As04) can be replaced by a phosphate (PO4) or vanadate (VO4) radical. This alteration is what leads to the formation of pyromorphite and vanadinite, hence why they are typically found associated with each other. Often red to yellow in color, mimetite can occur in a variety of structures, from small prismatic clusters and crusts to incredible hexagonal crystals both thick and thin.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Wulfenite & Mimetite
LOCATION
San Francisco Mine, Cerro Prieto, Cucurpe, Sonora, Mexico
SIZE
1.3" wide matrix. Largest wulfenite crystal is .6"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#127395