Mineralpedia Details for Molybdenite

Named for the molybdenum content which in turn derives its name from the Greek word molybdos, meaning “lead,” in allusion to its lead-like color and metallic luster. Molybdeinte is a common, widespread mineral and is the most abundant molybdenum-bearing mineral that occurs as excellent crystals in localities in the United States, Canada, Norway, Russia, Germany, Morocco, Australia, and Japan. It occurs on the rare occasion in meteorites, but more commonly in contact metamorphosed limestone, pegmatites, granites, aplites, disseminated prophry deposits that sometimes are associated with major copper mineralization, and in high-temperature hydrothermal vein deposits. Molybdenite has a notably greasy feel to it.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/molybdenite.pdf

Formula

MoS₂ 

Crystal System

Hexagonal 

Crystal Habit

Foliated, Massive, Disseminated 

Cleavage

Perfect, None, None 

Luster

Metallic 

Color

black, lead gray, gray 

Streak

greenish gray 

Class

Hexagonal - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal 

Fracture

Sectile 

Hardness

1 

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A 9mm complete crystal perched on Calcite matrix.

 This specimen shows good colloform habit of Quartz veins lined with flakes of Molybdenite and Pyrite.

The Nunatak Molybdenum deposit consists of stockworks of quartz-molybdenite veins in skarn forming a large low-grade molybdenum deposit. The deposit was discovered and staked in 1941. The molybdenum mineralization consists mostly of closely-spaced quartz veins containing rosettes of Molybdenite crystal much like this specimen. The rosettes on this specimen are to 2cm across.

An interval of diamond drill hole #1: at 182 ft, 334 ft, and 418 ft. I believe these splits represent one of the ten holes drilled by Noranda in 1974 after discovery in 1967. Goat Creek is a large, deep low grade Molybdenum deposit with skarn mineralization, including tungsten. Mineralization was in the Belt strata of the Wallace Formation and within a highly differentiated, non-outcropping Tertiary pluton (J. E. Worthington of the Idaho Geological Survey). The core shows good mineralization of Molybdenite and Pyrite in Quartz veining.

A chunk of ore from this huge Molybdenum deposit showing excellent thin veinlets of Molybdenite in stockwork style mineralization. There is a wealth of information on this deposit, which was discovered in 1974.

A large specimen of vein Molybdenite 2cm thick on Quartz matrix.

This is a good representation of the chief ore of molybdenum. It is silvery metallic with a tinge of blue and weighs about 16 oz. Veins can be seen in the sample from 1-20mm.

Because of it's high melting point (2,620 deg. C), it is used primarily in metallurgical applications for harding steel as well as lubricant, petroleum refining, flame retardents, and in the glass and ceramics industries.

Molybdenite with a good crystal to 1.5cm in a pocket of Quartz and Epidote.

Simply, an ore specimen with flashy soft radial crystals and masses of Molybdenite in a Quartz vein. 

Ore specimen with a healthy dose of bluish silver Molybdenite.

Very silvery masses of Molybdenite to 2cm in granite matrix. This is a most unusual locality. Comes with a Kidwell and a University of Malaya labels.

It's hard to say that this is just an ore specimen. It is also a good display specimen featuring an open vein filling of marvelous silvery blue Molybdenite. The Moly radiates towards the center of the open specimen which is filled with Quartz.