Molybdenite

Item Description

Molybdenite is a very soft sulfide mineral (1-1.5 on the Mohs scale), that makes these well formed, crystals in a Quartz matrix even more remarkable a survivor of the recovery process. Several large, metallic gray crystals make up this handsome cluster and they range in size from 2.5 to 6 cm across. The large crystal on the left side is distinctly hexagonal and is highly reflective off of its broad, slightly wrinkled surface face. All of them look to be made up of numerous layers of somewhat folded aluminum foil. The Molybdenite crystals are nicely composed in the whitish gray, massive Quartz matrix. The contrast between the shiny gray metallic Moly crystals and the light colored Quartz is ideal. This is an attractive and large example for the species, very sparkling and metallic in a display case! Old material, too.