Molybdite, Ferrimolybdite & Molybdenite (RARE old Colorado)

Item Description

RARE, OLD-TIME and rich molybdenite ore from the famous Climax Mine. Crusts of yellow Ferrimolybdite (molybdite) richly cover both sides of the quartz-rich matrix. It is a rare secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of hydrothermal vein and porphyry-type molybdenum-bearing deposits, or in breccia pipe deposits containing molybdenum and commonly formed from the alteration of molybdenite (MINDAT). Patches of bright silvery platy molybdenite are visible on one side. Discovered in 1879, the Climax Mine did not begin molybdenum production until 1914, first underground and later from a large open pit. From an East Coast collection and comes with a century-old faded and torn label. An IMPORTANT old-time Colorado ore specimen.