Wulfenite & Mimetite, Arizona

Description: 

The varying depths and contours of the fiberous mimetite coating this piece give it an almost fuzzy appearance. Several wulfenite blade edges peek through the mimetite, adding yet another dimension of interest to this specimen. 

Wulfenite was first described in 1845 for an occurrence in Bad Bleiberg, Carinthia, Austria.[2] It was named for Franz Xavier von Wulfen (1728–1805), an Austrian mineralogist.

Properties:

Is a lead molybdate mineral with the formula PbMoO4. 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 crystallizes in the tetragonal system, often occurring as stubby, pyramidal or tabular crystals. It also occurs as earthy, granular masses. It is found in many localities, associated with lead ores as a secondary mineral associated with the oxidized zone of lead deposits. It is also a secondary ore of molybdenum, and is sought by collectors.