Molybdite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Molybdite
Formula:
MoO3
Colour:
colorless, light greenish yellow, light brown, also pale blue
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.5
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Possibly the uncertain molybdic ocher of William Phillips and other earlier authors. Named molybdine by Robert Greg and William Lettsom in 1854 and 1858 in reference to its containing molybdenum and oxygen. The name was changed to molybdite by August Breithaupt in 1858. In 1907, Waldemar Schaller analyzed a mineral from a new locality, but with similar physical properties as described for molybdite. Because no adequate chemical analyses of molybdite were known and, presumably, no specimens of the very rare species were available from the type locality, the early analysis was supposed to be defective, as iron was reportedly detected, but not quantified in the original analysis by Greg and Lettsom. Schaller named ferrimolybdite furthering the use of a chemical name. In 1963, František Čech and Pavel Povondra discovered a new occurrence of a molybdenum oxide and resurrected molybdite for molybdenum oxide, but did not examine material from previously reported localities.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2748
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2748:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a81317f0-db2e-4213-966c-7b34a67eb731
IMA Classification of Molybdite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Molybdite
4.E0.10
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
E : Metal: Oxygen = < 1 :2
0 :
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
E : Metal: Oxygen = < 1 :2
0 :
4.5.1.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
5 : AX3
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
5 : AX3
7.15.2
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
15 : Oxides of Mo and W
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
15 : Oxides of Mo and W
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Myb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Molybdite
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Crstals have a high luster, coatings may look waxy
Colour:
colorless, light greenish yellow, light brown, also pale blue
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect cleavage (100), distinct cleavage (001)
(Cech 1964)
Perfect cleavage (100), distinct cleavage (001)
(Cech 1964)
Density:
4.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.72 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Molybdite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
Optical Extinction:
parallel (Čech 1964)
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Molybdite
Mindat Formula:
MoO3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Molybdite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.96 Å, b = 13.85 Å, c = 3.69 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.286 : 1 : 0.266
Unit Cell V:
202.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Platy to very elongated crystals
Comment:
Pbnm
Crystallographic forms of Molybdite
Crystal Atlas:
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Molybdite - {010}, {111}, {100}
Molybdite - {010}, {111}, {100}, {001}
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
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Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0017972 | Molybdite | Braekken H (1931) Die Kristallstrukturen der Trioxide von Chrom, Molybdaen und Wolfram _cod_database_code 1011073 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 78 484-489 | 1931 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017945 | Molybdite | Wooster N (1931) The crystal structure of Molybdenum Trioxide Mo O3 _cod_database_code 1011043 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 80 504-512 | 1931 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0018982 | Molybdite | Kihlborg L (1963) Least squares refinement of the crystal structure of molybdenum trioxide Arkiv for Kemi 21 357-364 | 1963 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012869 | Molybdite | Sitepu H, O'Connor B H, Li D (2005) Comparative evaluation of the March and generalized spherical harmonic preferred orientation models using X-ray diffraction data for molybdite and calcite powders Journal of Applied Crystallography 38 158-167 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012870 | Molybdite | Sitepu H, O'Connor B H, Li D (2005) Comparative evaluation of the March and generalized spherical harmonic preferred orientation models using X-ray diffraction data for molybdite and calcite powders Journal of Applied Crystallography 38 158-167 | 2005 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018893 | Molybdite | Sitepu H (2009) Texture and structural refinement using neutron diffraction data from molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders and a Ni-rich Ni50.7Ti49.30 alloy Powder Diffraction 24 315-326 | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018894 | Molybdite | Sitepu H (2009) Texture and structural refinement using neutron diffraction data from molybdite (MoO3) and calcite (CaCO3) powders and a Ni-rich Ni50.7Ti49.30 alloy Powder Diffraction 24 315-326 | 2009 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.9296 Å | (29) |
| 3.8077 Å | (90) |
| 3.4648 Å | (40) |
| 3.4383 Å | (15) |
| 3.2610 Å | (100) |
| 3.0066 Å | (8) |
| 2.7019 Å | (6) |
| 2.6520 Å | (31) |
| 2.6076 Å | (1) |
| 2.5277 Å | (8) |
| 2.3323 Å | (12) |
| 2.3099 Å | (23) |
| 2.2708 Å | (18) |
| 2.1307 Å | (3) |
| 1.9801 Å | (7) |
| 1.9602 Å | (9) |
| 1.9588 Å | (6) |
| 1.8479 Å | (15) |
| 1.8199 Å | (11) |
| 1.7855 Å | (1) |
| 1.7709 Å | (2) |
| 1.7557 Å | (1) |
| 1.7317 Å | (11) |
| 1.7191 Å | (2) |
| 1.6925 Å | (6) |
| 1.6625 Å | (11) |
| 1.6327 Å | (2) |
| 1.6305 Å | (6) |
| 1.6277 Å | (3) |
| 1.5970 Å | (11) |
| 1.5872 Å | (1) |
| 1.5743 Å | (2) |
| 1.5686 Å | (10) |
| 1.5033 Å | (3) |
| 1.4769 Å | (7) |
| 1.4430 Å | (6) |
| 1.4352 Å | (3) |
| 1.4333 Å | (6) |
| 1.4001 Å | (4) |
| 1.3859 Å | (3) |
| 1.3510 Å | (3) |
| 1.3446 Å | (3) |
| 1.2967 Å | (5) |
| 1.2967 Å | (3) |
| 1.2786 Å | (1) |
| 1.2587 Å | (1) |
| 1.2431 Å | (2) |
| 1.2295 Å | (2) |
| 1.2129 Å | (2) |
| 1.1721 Å | (1) |
| 1.1701 Å | (1) |
| 1.1662 Å | (2) |
| 1.1419 Å | (2) |
| 1.1335 Å | (2) |
| 1.1159 Å | (3) |
| 1.1087 Å | (2) |
| 1.1024 Å | (1) |
| 1.0947 Å | (1) |
Comments:
RRUFF ID:R100217.1
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Molybdite is commonly found in fumerolitic conditions such as mine dump fires or volcanic fumeroles. Sometimes found as secondary alterations of molydenum-bearing ores. Occurrences of hydrothermal origin are scarce.
Type Occurrence of Molybdite
General Appearance of Type Material:
greenish-yellow to colorless flat needles or thin plates
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Quartz vein, near contact with fine-grained topaz-quartz greisen.
Synonyms of Molybdite
Molybdenum ochre (in part)
Other Language Names for Molybdite
French:Acide molybdique
German:Molybdit
Molybdänocker (in part)
Molybdänocker (in part)
Norwegian:Molybdenoker (in part)
Russian:Молибдит
Simplified Chinese:钼华
Spanish:Molybdita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Molybdite associated with Ferrimolybdite | Fe2(MoO4)3 · nH2O |
| 7 photos of Molybdite associated with Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 5 photos of Molybdite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 4 photos of Molybdite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Molybdite associated with Pharmacosiderite | KFe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6-7H2O |
| 1 photo of Molybdite associated with Selenium | Se |
| 1 photo of Molybdite associated with Schist | |
| 1 photo of Molybdite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Molybdite associated with Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| 1 photo of Molybdite associated with Sidwillite | MoO3 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.E0. | Liguowuite | WO3 |
| 4.E0. | Hanahanite | [Zn8(OH)14(SO4)] · 3H2O |
| 4.E0. | Tianhuixinite | (MoO3)3 · H2O |
| 4.E0.05 | Tantite | Ta2O5 |
| 4.E0.10 | Krasnogorite | WO3 |
Fluorescence of Molybdite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Molybdite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2748.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Molybdite
Reference List:
Localities for Molybdite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Henley et al. (2001) |
| Brown et al. (1992) |
| Gilligan et al. (1993) |
| Barraclough (1979) |
| Wheeler (2017) |
| Qld Dept Mines- mines record |
| Qld Dept Mines- record of mines | |
| Liddy (1972) |
Belgium | |
| O Dziallas collection +4 other references |
| Michel Bloindieau |
| José Dehove collection. |
Brazil | |
| |
Canada | |
| Montgomery (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| www.geologyontario.mndmf.gov.on.ca (n.d.) |
| MDI Number: MDI52E10SW00026 |
| Sabina (1971) |
| Sabina (1971) |
Chile | |
| C. Ruiz Fuller/F. Peebles (1988) |
China | |
| Huaidong Zhang et al. (2012) |
| Shuchao Fu (2011) |
| Cuizhi Wang and Shuchao Fu (2013) | |
| Jiajing Zhang et al. (2008) |
| Boling Pan et al. (1989) |
| Mingzheng Zhuang (1983) |
| Xiangji Liao et al. (2008) |
| Sun et al. (2022) |
| Xinlu Hu et al. (2014) |
| Yongming Shi et al. (2007) |
| Zhenzhe Han et al. (2009) | |
| Jichang Weng et al. (2010) |
| Liu et al. (2022) | |
| Jiangming Zhang (2011) |
| Senpo Wen (2009) |
| Ke Zhou et al. (2009) | |
| Senpo Wen et al. (2008) | |
| Liu et al. (2022) |
| Zeqiang Yang et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Niu et al. (2022) |
| Niu et al. (2022) | |
| Tao Zou et al. (2011) |
| Ke Zhang et al. (2012) |
| Hui Xie et al. (2011) |
| Dawei Wang (1980) |
| Xiqing Yu et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Fengjun Nie et al. (2012) |
| Jianxiang Xu et al. (2007) |
| Baohua Li et al. (2006) |
| Yanqian Yang et al. (2014) |
| Chunyan Dong et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) |
| Yongrui Zhao and Yunqing Zhen (2006) | |
| Chenghua Zhang and Guodong Ji (1983) |
| Wenjun Liu (1985) |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) | |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) | |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) |
| Liangsheng Ge et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Qu Xiaoming et al. (2007) |
| Wenchang Li et al. (2012) |
| Shiming Zhang et al. (2013) |
Czech Republic | |
| Žáček et al. (1998) |
| Am Min 49 (1964) +1 other reference |
| Staně +4 other references |
DR Congo | |
| 304 [287-88]. +2 other references |
Finland | |
| letyinen |
| Finnish Museum of Natural History |
| Matti Laakso Collection |
France | |
| Boisson (1988) |
| |
| |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Grütze (2006) |
| Mineralien-Welt (2) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Italy | |
| Triscari et al. (1990) +1 other reference |
| www.minieredisardegna.it (2012) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| De Michele (1974) |
| De Michele (1970) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| - (E. Nitta, M. Kimata, M. Hoshino, T. Echigo, S. Hamasaki, H. Shinohara, N. Nishida, T. Hatta, M. Shimizu ) |
| Africano et al. (2002) +1 other reference | |
| Nitta et al. (2006) | |
Mexico | |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
Mongolia | |
| Kamitani et al. (2007) |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Evje og Hornnes geomuseum Fennefoss |
| Hasan (1971) |
Pakistan | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
Poland | |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Mochnacka et al. (2015) |
Russia | |
| Potseluev et al. (2006) |
| Zelenski et al. (2020) |
| ... |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) +1 other reference |
| Frascoli et al. (2018) |
| |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
South Korea | |
| Sudo (1944) |
Spain | |
| Calvo (2009) |
| Mata i Perelló (1990) |
| Bareche (2005) |
Sweden | |
| Hisinger 1819 |
| The Swedish Museum of Natural History | |
| Segerbäck (2020) |
Tajikistan | |
| D.I.Belakovskiy data +1 other reference |
| Belakovski (1990) +1 other reference | |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10027321 |
| Jahns (1952) |
| Specimen collected by Dick Thomssen. In ... |
| Browne (1869) +2 other references |
| - (2005) |
| P. G. Worcester (1919) +1 other reference |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Butler +2 other references |
| - (2005) |
| Ream (2004) |
| Rocks & Min. 70:247 |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) |
| Ream (1995) |
| - (2005) |
| King (n.d.) |
| Ransom (1974) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Schilling (1979) +1 other reference |
| Schilling (1979) +1 other reference |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| |
| |
| |
| Dana 6:1066 +2 other references |
| Ramon S. DeMark +2 other references |
| USGS Bull 945C |
| Manchester (1931) | |
| John H. Betts (2009) | |
| Genth +1 other reference |
| Joseph Hyde Pratt (1916) |
| ... |
| Rocks & Min.:10:111. |
| Smith (1991) |
| In the collection of Alex Earl |
| - (2005) |
| Contributions to Economic Geology |
| Molybdenum +1 other reference |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Valentine et al. (1960) +1 other reference |
| Derkey et al. (1990, November) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Valentine et al. (1960) +2 other references |
| Valentine et al. (1960) +2 other references |
| tin.er.usgs.gov (n.d.) |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:388 |
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