Wulfenita Naranja
Wulfenita is a mineral with formula PbMoO₄, in the Molibdatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Ahumada, Los Lamentos, Ahumada, Chihuahua, México.
Description
Transparent orange tabular wulfenite crystal, with well-beveled edges, emerging from a carpet of acicular willemite and calcite on a limonitic matrix. A delicate but impressive thumbnail.
History of this specimen
Classic material predating the mine's closure around 1981. Following a small batch that circulated in 2006, a few more pieces—safely preserved in an old collection—resurfaced in 2026. I acquired this specimen from Manuel Montes at the Cártama show that year.
About Wulfenita
A lead molybdate PbMoO₄ recognizable by its typically tabular, sometimes lenticular crystals, and by a colour range spanning yellow, orange, red and brown. It usually occurs in the oxidized zones of lead deposits. Historically, it has attracted more interest as a mineralogical curiosity than as a lead ore. When molybdenum began to gain industrial importance, attention briefly turned to wulfenite as a possible source, but it never stood a chance against the main ore of the metal, MoS₂ or molybdenite.
About the locality
Although often labeled as "Erupción Mine," classic wulfenites actually come from the deep levels, historically known as "Ahumada Mine." Consequently, many specimens simply carry the broader locality of "Los Lamentos." Miners extracted large quantities during the 1950s and 60s, even though water was already becoming a problem. Further recoveries took place in 1968, 1976, and again in the early 1980s during an attempt to rehabilitate the mine. In that final stage, collectors worked waist-deep in water at "Los Baños" (The Baths). One owner recounted leaving fine pieces there in 1981, hoping to return someday—though rising water levels have kept him from retrieving them ever since.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0702
- Composition
- PbMoO₄
- Name
- Wulfenita
- Variety
- Naranja
- Group
- Molibdatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Matrix
- Limonita
- Associations
- willemita, calcita
- Mine
- Mina Ahumada
- District / Municipality
- Los Lamentos
- Province
- Ahumada
- Region
- Chihuahua
- Country
- México
- Size (cm)
- 2 x 2 x 1.5
- Weight
- 4.2 g
- Etymology
- Named after Franz Xavier von Wulfen for his contributions to the study of lead minerals.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Apatito — México
- Wulfenita (Naranja, Amarilla) — México
- Calcita (Ahumada) — México
- Ópalo (Hialita) — México
- Novacekita — México
- Ópalo — México
- Wulfenita (Bipiramidal) — China
- Creedita — México