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Rare Wulfenite Crystal


Rare Wulfenite Crystal
Photo Information
Copyright: David Michaels (tsumeb) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 17 W: 1 N: 42] (168)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-02-25
Categories: Desert
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 8700
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Crystals and Minerals, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 1, Minerals [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-03-06 11:21
Viewed: 2523
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I had to try one more mineral post. This rock is one of my favorites. It is a piece of wulfenite from the Red Cloud Mine in the Trigo Mountains, La Paz County, Arizona. It is uncut, unpolished and in its natural state. The Red Cloud is the only place to produce these type of orange-red crystals on earth. The translucent wulfenite sits on a matrix of limonite.

This was mined in the late 1970's. Now the mine itself is pretty much unworkable. This piece is 3 cm across. It is made of lead and molybdenum. Fine wulfenite crystals in other colors really only occur in Morocco, Namibia and Mexico.

It is rare to find such perfection. They are never cut or used as gemstones as the mineral is quite soft. This is from my rock collection. I bought this from a miner. I used my macro with just my desk lamp.
red45, PDP, hummingbird24, Callie, SelenE has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To hummingbird24: limonitetsumeb 1 03-07 10:20
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-03-06 14:18]

Superb picture David. Great crystal form, beautiful colour. Real treasure with interesting note. Please try more 'mineral' posts. TFS!

  • Great 
  • Kris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 180 W: 0 N: 129] (1812)
  • [2005-03-06 15:30]

Very interesting objact. I like minerals.
Composition, colors are splendid and exposure is excellent. Very well done.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-03-06 17:37]

Great picture, who would think that PbMoO4, Lead Molybdate would be so attractive. Nice composition and colours. Very well done.

wow another interesting post what a lovely colour I am surprised what a desk lamp will do.

Grea photo David! I really love it! Thank you.

Beautiful specimen, such deep rich color. You have really captured it well here. Is the limonite part of this mineral or just added for support of the subject?
Thank you for sharing this interesting posting with us.

Hi David
Thanks for the geology lesson, much appreciated, and this is a real nice gem, my Father in law also collects "rocks 'n such". You have a nice ambience in the colour. TFS

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