Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Molybdenite

This page kindly sponsored by Donald Doell
Big Photo

Moly Hill mine, La Motte, Abitibi RCM, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec, Canada
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Molybdenite Photos (597)Discuss Molybdenite



Formula:
MoS
 
2
System:HexagonalColour:Black, lead gray, or gray
Lustre:MetallicHardness:1 - 1½
Member of:Molybdenite Group
Name:Greek, molybdos = "lead."


Molybdenite is the most important ore of the metal molybdenum. Molybdenite is currently being researched as a possible replacement semiconductor for silicon in transistors in electronic chips.

Two polytypes are known: molybdenite-2H (very common) and molybdenite-3R (rare).

Classification of Molybdenite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/D.25-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.EA.30

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
Dana 7th edition ID:2.12.10.1
Dana 8th edition ID:2.12.10.1

2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.8.6

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
8 : Sulphides etc. of Cr, Mo, W an Mn
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2746.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Physical Properties of Molybdenite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, lead gray, or gray
Comment:Pale yellow to deepish reddish brown in transmitted light
Streak:Bluish gray
Hardness (Mohs):1 - 1½
Tenacity:Flexible
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {0001}
Density (measured):4.62 - 4.73 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.998 g/cm3

Crystallography of Molybdenite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Class (H-M):6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:P63/mmc {P63/m 2/m 2/c}
Cell Parameters:a = 3.16Å, c = 12.3Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 3.892
Unit Cell Volume:V 106.37 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Tabular crystals, flakes
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Molybdenite - Tabular {001}
Molybdenite - Thick tabular {001}

About Crystal Atlas

You may need to scroll this box using your mouse to view the full instructions.

The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

: default positions
t/T: decrease/increase transparency x/X: next/previous texture
b/B: next/previous background w: toggle wireframe
s: toggle sticks m: toggle miller indices
k: toggle crystallographic axes =/-: zoom in/out
r: stop/start rotation 1/2/3
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Molybdenite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Very strong
Pleochroism:Strong

Chemical Properties of Molybdenite

Formula:
MoS
 
2
Essential elements:Mo, S
All elements listed in formula:Mo, S
CAS Registry number:1317-33-5

CAS Registry numbers are published by the American Chemical Society

Relationship of Molybdenite to other Species

Member of:Molybdenite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.EA.05Sylvanite
(Au,Ag)
 
2
Te
 
4
2.EA.10Calaverite
AuTe
 
2
2.EA.15Kostovite
CuAuTe
 
4
2.EA.15Krennerite
(Au,Ag)Te
 
2
2.EA.20Berndtite
SnS
 
2
2.EA.20Kitkaite
NiTeSe
2.EA.20Melonite
NiTe
 
2
2.EA.20Merenskyite
(Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)
 
2
2.EA.20Moncheite
(Pt,Pd)(Te,Bi)
 
2
2.EA.20Shuangfengite
IrTe
 
2
2.EA.20Sudovikovite
PtSe
 
2
2.EA.25Verbeekite
PdSe
 
2
2.EA.30Drysdallite
Mo(Se,S)
 
2
2.EA.30Jordisite
MoS
 
2
2.EA.30Tungstenite
WS
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.8.1Brezinaite
Cr
 
3
S
 
4
3.8.2Caswellsilverite
NaCrS
 
2
3.8.3Kalininite
ZnCr
 
2
S
 
4
3.8.4Daubréelite
Fe
2+
 
Cr
3+
2
S
 
4
3.8.5Heideite
(Fe,Cr)
 
1.15
(Ti,Fe)
 
2
S
 
4
3.8.7 Molybdenite-3R
MoS
 
2
3.8.8Jordisite
MoS
 
2
3.8.9Drysdallite
Mo(Se,S)
 
2
3.8.10Tungstenite
WS
 
2
3.8.12Alabandite
Mn
2+
 
S
3.8.13Hauerite
MnS
 
2
3.8.14Manganoshadlunite
(Mn,Pb,Cd)(Cu,Fe)
 
8
S
 
8

Other Names for Molybdenite

Other Languages:
Basque:Molibdenita
Catalan:Molibdenita
Dutch:Molybdeniet
Finnish:Molybdeenihohde
French:Molybdénite
German:Molybdänglanz
Eutomglanz
Molybdänit
Molybdenit
Hungarian:Molibdenit
Italian:Molibdenite
Japanese:輝水鉛鉱
Lithuanian:Molibdenitas
Polish:Molibdenit
Portuguese:Molibdenite
Russian:Молибденит
Simplified Chinese:辉钼矿
Slovak:Molybdenit
Spanish:Molibdenita
Swedish:Molybdenglans
Ukrainian:Молібденіт
Varieties:
FemoliteRhenian Molybdenite

Polytypes for Molybdenite

Polytypes:
Molybdenite-2HMolybdenite-3R

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
External LinksSearch for toxicity information at the United States National Library of Medicine

References for Molybdenite

Reference List:

- +
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 328-331.

American Mineralogist (1963): 48: 1419.

Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen (1964): 44: 123.

Frondel, J.W. & F.E. Wickman (1970), Molybdenite polytypes in theory and occurrence. II: Some naturally occurring polytypes of molybdenite: American Mineralogist: 55: 1857-1875.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-01/epfd-nta012811.php

Internet Links for Molybdenite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Molybdenite on Google
  • Look for Molybdenite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Molybdenite on Webmineral
  • Look for Molybdenite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Molybdenite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Molybdenite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Molybdenite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Search for - Molybdenite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Molybdenite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Molybdenite specimens
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
    • Specimens:The following Molybdenite specimens are currently listed for sale on minfind.com.
    Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Molybdenite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Show Locality List (5107 Items)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 23rd May 2013 01:52:01
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    Locality Updated: Myall Lakes Reserve, Bolton, Victoria, AustraliaFrom Pat Sutton, 23rd May 2013 01:30:19