WULFENITE
Specimen wul-23

Dims: 8-1/4" x 3-7/8" x 4-5/8"

Wt: 7 lbs., 4 oz

Rowley Mine, Arizona, U.S.A.

Our largest and highest-quality specimen of Wulfenite, the crystals of this mineral are small (reaching up to 1/4 inch in length), bright orange, and incredibly clear. They each have a very clean, thin tabular formation, and there is surprisingly little breakage for such delicacy. These crystals rest upon a bright scattering of microscopic Mimetite crystals that actually look like a coating of yellow-orange dust. This is an awesome example of the beauty of these two minerals on their occurrences together.

Dims: 3-1/4" x 1-3/4" x 1-1/4"

Wt: 4.9 oz

79 Mine, 400 Stope, Hayden, Gila Co., Arizona, U.S.A.

There are only 3 complete blades of Wulfenite on this specimen; they are classic rectangle tabular blades, bright orange, the largest one with a length of about 5/16". The amazing thing about this specimen is the fact that these blades are situated on the edge of a cluster of blue botryoidal hemimorphite "lumps". Now, here's the real reason why this piece is worth the money... I can tell that the Wulfenite crystals formed before the hemimorphite crystals. How? Easy. Close examination reveals that the Wulfenite blades are coated with a super-thin layer of hemimorphite. One can easily see the flaky stuff on a few damaged Wulfenites that are near the complete ones. I think this is incredible!

Dims: 3.0" x 2.5" x 1.3"(7.6 x 6.4 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 5.51 oz.(156.2 g)

San Francisco Mine, Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico

The colors and contrasts of this specimen amaze me! On a rather nondescript brown host rock that is likely made of limonite, large, rectangular blades of Wulfenite rest on a crust of botryoidal mimetite. The Wulfenite crystals have a gold coloration, are translucent to transparent, and have a pearly luster. They range in size from 2 x 3 to 13 x 13 mm in dimensions, and though many are damaged, most are in excellent condition. The specimen's underside is completely coated with intergrown blades of Wulfenite that are half covered with bits of limonite and grains of sand. The mimetite covers only one side of the specimen, and occurs as round, intergrown spherules, producing a botryoidal formation. The globules range in color from yellow to a moderate orange color, are opaque, and have a dull luster. They add the perfect backdrop to the Wulfenite blades.

Dims: 1.9" x 1.5" x 1.2"(4.8 x 3.8 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 5.51 oz.(156.2 g)

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen consists of at least 75% Wulfenite by weight. It occurs as rectangular tabular crystals that are rather thick for their size. One of the larger visible crystals measures 0.2 x 0.1 x 0.1"(5 x 3 x 2 mm). All are colored a dull orange, have a pearly luster, and are translucent. The specimen is damaged less than I would expect, and the crystals are well-formed. There is a small amount of a limonite host rock, but it tends to be in the crevices towards the center of the piece.

Dims: 1.6" x 0.9" x 0.7"(4.1 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 11.5 g

La Aurora Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen has orange Wulfenite crystals in a shape that I have never seen before; they are long and prismatic, occuring in a form that reminds me of the elongated four-sided bipyramidal crystals that the mineral anatase often occurs in. Most of the points on the pyramid tips are truncated by small basal faces, but one or two crystals terminate on an edge. They all have a uniform pearly luster and are translucent, and though several crystals are damaged, those that are intact have good crystal form. They rest on a brown limonite matrix that sparkles due to the fact that it is coated with a fine layer of microscopic crystals- I think that they are dolomite, as there are some larger, white crystals of the mineral on part of the specimen. These are some weird little crystals!

Dims: 2.3" x 1.6" x 1.0"(5.8 x 1.6 x 1.0 cm)

Wt: 1.35 oz.(38.5 g)

La Aurora Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen essentially consists of a profusion of intergrown Wulfenite blades that occur in a variety of shapes and sizes. All have the thin tabular form, orange-to-gold color, transparence, and vitreous luster of Wulfenite. Not only do I see the standard rectangular shape in the crystals, but there are also some acute angles that suggest a rhombic shape, and some definitely curved edges. They range in size from less than 0.1"(3 mm) to over 0.5"(1.3 cm) along an edge. There is a lot of damage to the cluster in the form of broken crystals, but many are still intact, and a person could spend one or two hours going over this specimen with a loupe. It rests on the inevitable brown limonite host rock.

Dims: 1.7" x 0.9" x 0.6"(4.3 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 13.3 g

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

Over 20 tetragonal tabular Wulfenite crystals rest on the calcite base of this specimen. They have an orange color, a vitreous luster on their basal faces and a pearly luster on their prism faces, and are translucent. Their form is good, though often warped due their intersection. The largest crystal is also the most prominent one of the cluster, and measures 0.4 x 0.3"(1.0 x 0.8 cm); all the crystals are 1 - 3 mm thick, respective of their other dimensions. They rest on a calcite crust that has a thin coating of limonite on it.

Dims: 2.0" x 1.5" x 1.3"(5.1 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 1.93 oz. (54.7 g)

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen consists simply of three tabular Wulfenite crystals that are intergrown, one of which is only partially visible. The two obvious crystals intersect each other at about a 20- to 30-degree angle. They are huge; one measures 1.1 x 1.1 x 0.3"(2.8 x 2.8 x 0.8 cm), and the other measures 1.1 x 1.3 x 0.3"(2.8 x 3.3 x 0.8 cm). Their color is a dull golden orange, but one side of each crystal is stained a red-brown color from a layer of limonite. They have waxy luster on their main faces and a pearly luster on their edge faces, and show a very dim translucence. One of the crystals shows a small amount of damage and is missing a bit of material, but both are in very good condition and show good though uneven form. There are several small brown globular aggregates on their faces and edges that I believe are made of mimetite, but besides these and the limonite, there is no other material. These are the largest individual Wulfenite crystals that I have seen- they are exceptional!

Dims: 6.5" x 4.0" x 3.8" (16.5 x 10.2 x 9.7 cm)

Wt: 9.38 oz. (266.0 g)

Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

I like the contrast of this specimen. Its base consists of red-brown limonite on which rests a few crusts of black goethite that are made up of many small, round intergrown botryoidal nodules. Some of these crusts are totally exposed, and some line hollows in the limonite. Among the nodules are dozens of small tetragonal tabular Wulfenite crystals. They range from one or two millimeters to nearly 0.5" (1.3 cm) in length and have a pale pea-green color and vitreous luster. Many of them show a rather odd aspect; they have a brownish, opaque "core" that is surrounded by the green material, which is transparent. Many of the crystals on the exposed crusts are broken, but most that are inside the hollows are intact and have excellent form. Their shiny luster and tabular shapes make an excellent contrast to the round, dull goethite nodules.

Dims: 1.0" x 1.0" x 0.8" (2.5 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 12.9 g w/ base

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This lovely thumbnail specimen consists of several orange-red, tabular Wulfenite crystals that are attached to a rough brown host rock. All are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage, and all but two measure less than 2mm in any dimension. The other two, though, are quite large, measuring 0.5 x 0.3 x 0.1" (1.2 x 0.8 x 0.2 cm) and 0.9 x 0.5 x 0.2" (2.3 x 1.3 x 0.4 cm). Except in a few spots that were separated from other parts of the host rock, their form is excellent, showing well-defined edges and clean, smooth faces that have a bright, almost adamantine luster. Although both crystals show considerable internal fracturing, they show areas of near transparence. They are some of the most impressive Wulfenite crystals that I have seen.

Dims: 1.7" x 1.4" x 1.0" (4.3 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.30 oz. (37.0 g) w/ base

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This large thumbnail specimen consists of a quartz-and-limonite host rock that is partially covered with a generous cluster of at least 20 bladed Wulfenite crystals. These crystals are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage whatsoever, and ranging in size from a few millimeters to nearly 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.1" (1.0 x 0.8 x 0.3 cm). Their form, though slightly irregular, represents the mineral's tetragonal tabular habit well, showing sharp edges and smooth, clean faces that have a bright, pearly-to-vitreous luster. They have the classic deep orange color that is common for Wulfenite, and the crystals are all at least translucent, with some of the smaller ones showing patches of transparence. This is one of the prettiest and most well-preserved clusters that I have seen in a while.

Dims: 2.8" x 1.5" x 1.4" (7.1 x 3.8 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 2.35 oz. (66.7 g)

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

Scores of tetragonal tabular Wulfenite crystals rest on the goethite/limonite matrix of this specimen. Most of these are tiny, not measuring more than 1 or 2 mm in any dimension, but many are much larger, achieving dimensions of up to 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.1" (1.0 x 0.8 x 0.2 cm). Several of the larger blades are noticeably damaged, but most are intact and show excellent form, with clean faces and sharp edges. They have an orange color that deepens as their size increases and show a bright, adamantine luster. All are at least translucent, but the many tiny crystals are actually transparent and appear to be nearly colorless. Close examination of the host rock reveals a warped but noticeable crystalline form. It is actually composed of a calcareous mineral (likely calcite) that is stained brown from limonite.

Dims: 4.1" x 3.8" x 2.7" (10.4 x 9.7 x 6.9 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 1.2 oz. (942 g)

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This massive hand specimen consists of a thick piece of a dark brown host rock on which rest several tetragonal tabular Wulfenite blades. These blades range in size from 0.4 x 0.3" (1.0 x 0.8 cm) down to 1 mm x 1 mm or less. All show excellent form, and only a few that are on one edge of the base rock are damaged. They have a deep orange coloration and a bright, adamantine luster, and are noticeably transparent, though many visible internal fractures in each crystal provide much interference with clarity. The base rock appears to be made up of both calcite and more Wulfenite; it does not show any appreciable crystalline form, but it has the same bright luster as that of the crystals.

Dims: 2.3" x 1.7" x 1.5" (5.8 x 4.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.53 oz. (71.9 g)

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

One of the more intriguing Wulfenite specimens that I have seen lately, this piece appears to consist of dozens of tetragonal Wulfenite blades that are intergrown with a stalactitic calcite or quart host that is coated with a thin layer of either goethite or limonite. These crystals are in surprisingly good condition for their arrangement, and range in size from the near-microscopic to 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.1" (1.5 x 1.0 x 0.3 cm). All show very good form, with sharp edges and clean faces that show a bright, vitreous luster. They have a bright orange color that is common for Wulfenite, and they are all dimly transparent, though heavily included and internally-fractured. They seem to hold the host rock together, as it appears to have been broken into many small pieces some time during the specimen's formation. It is hot-glued onto a flat, square acrylic base.

Dims: 2.6 x 1.9 x 1.3" (6l6 x 4.8 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 1.0 oz. (29.0 g)

Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

This specimen consists of at least 30 tetragonal tabular Wulfenite blades resting on a limonite base rock. The largest of these has dimensions of 0.3 x 0.3 x <0.1" (8 x 8 x 1 mm). All but 3 of the tablets are intact and complete and all have excellent form, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a bright subadamantine luster. Their color is a uniform, deep yellow, and all are transparent and quite clear, though a few appear to contain minute internal fractures. There are many crystals on what could be construed as the specimen's "underside", but these generally do not exceed 2 mm in any dimension.

Dims: 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.6" (2.0 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 11.9 g w/ specimen box

San Francisco Mine, near Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico

This small thumbnail specimen consists of at least 10 Wulfenite blades that rest on a small, dark brown base rock. The blades are in excellent condition- there is almost no visible human induced damage- and range in size from 0.1 x 0.1" (3 x 3 mm) up to 0.5 x 0.4" (1.3 x 1.0 cm) (their thicknesses do not exceed 1 mm). All have excellent tetragonal prismatic form, with sharp edges and smooth, clean faces that possess a pearly-to-vitreous luster. Their color is a uniform yellow-orange, and all are transparent and dimly clear. A few tiny globules of what appears to be orange mimetite rests on the base among the Wulfenites. The specimen is affixed to the inside of a cubic plastic specimen box with an adhesive putty.

Dims: 2.4 x 2.2 x 1.7" (6.1 x 5.6 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 3.98 oz. (112.8 g)

San Francisco Mine, near Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico

Dozens of tetragonal Wulfenite blades rest on the dark brown host rock of this specimen. These blades reach sizes of 0.5 x 0.4" (1.3 x 1.0 cm), and do not exceed 1 mm in thickness. Though many are broken and incomplete, those that are intact are in excellent condition. Their form is excellent, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a bright, vitreous luster. All have a bright yellow-orange coloration and are transparent and very clear, though some contain small internal fractures. They are accompanied by clusters of slightly radiating barite blades that are white in color and have good form, and what appears to be a thin, botryoidal crust of mimetite. I cannot define the host rock, but it does contain a substantial amount of limonite or another iron oxide.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.7 x 1.3" (5.6 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 5.17 oz. (146.8 g) w/ base

Rowley Mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, U.S.A.

At least 15 tetragonal Wulfenite blades rest on the rust-stained host rock of this specimen. Several of these blades are noticeably broken, but most are intact and in excellent condtion. The largest of these is set flat against the host rock and has dimensions of 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.1" (8 x 8 x 1 mm). All have excellent form, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a bright, pearly luster. They have a uniform pale, orange-yellow coloration and are transparent and very clear. They rest upon a rather thick dusting of dull mimetite that partly coats the base rock. This dusting is actually made up of thousands of intergrown, microscopic crystals that have a beautiful orange-to-yellow coloration and a rather dull luster. The piece is hot-glued onto a flat, square acrylic base.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.5 x 1.5" (5.6 x 3.8 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 1.31 oz. (37.3 g)

79 Mine, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This small thumbnail specimen consists of many intersecting Wulfenite blades that rest on a dull, brown host rock. Though most of these blades are broken and incomplete, several are still intact. The largest of these has dimensions of 8 x 8 x 1 mm, and like the others, has excellent tetragonal bladed form, with sharp edges and clean faces. All have a slightly dull yellow coloration and a pearly luster, and are only dimly transparent due to a very thin covering of another material that I cannot identify. It also appears to form clusters of tiny, white radiating needles.

Dims: 5.5 x 3.9 x 3.0" (14.0 x 9.9 x 7.6 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 5 oz. (594 g)

Mapimi, Durango, Mexico

Scores of small tabular Wulfenite crystals rest on the goethite/limonite host rock of this large hand specimen. These Wulfenite blades do not tend to exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in either length or width, and are no thicker than 1 or perhaps 2 mm. Most are broken and incomplete, but there are many that are intact and show excellent tetragonal tabular form, with sharp edges and clean faces. All have a pale yellow-green color and a pearly luster, and are transparent and very clear. They are accompanied by a few small, stubby, colorless calcites. The goethite/limonite host rock has a red-brown to a dark brown coloration and is dull and very powdery.

Dims: 3.2 x 2.6 x 2.0" (8.1 x 6.6 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 8.7 oz (248 g)

79 Mine, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.

A few dozen small Wulfenite blades rest on the quartzite host of this hand specimen. These blades do not exceed 0.4" (1 cm) in length and are generally in good condition, as not many are damaged or broken. Their tetragonal tabular form is very good, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly luster. All have a moderate yellow coloration and are translucent, though a few appear to be dimly transparent. Another mineral is scattered around them- it is also bladed, but does not have the proper color, luster and form for them to be Wulfenites. The piece is affixed to an acrylic base with an adhesive putty.

Dims: 2.6 x 1.8 x 1.5" (6.6 x 4.6 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.05 oz. (58.4 g)

Glove Mine, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

Scores of small Wulfenite blades rest on the dark brown base of this specimen. These blades are in moderately good condition and do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in length or width and 1 mm in thickness. All appear to have excellent tetragonal tabular form, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a subadamantine luster. Their black coloration is odd, and is caused by inclusions of manganese oxide. This piece was collected in April of 1991 and the locality is mentioned in the Mineralogical Record Vol. 14, page 300-301.

Dims: 3.2 x 1.8 x 0.8" (8.1 x 4.6 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 3.37 oz (95.5 g)

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

Many small, thick Wulfenite crystals rest on calcareous base of this piece. These crystals are in good condition, showing light to moderate damage, and do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in length or width. Their tetragonal tabular form is good- they are thicker than most Wulfenite crystals that I have seen. All have a dull orange color and a bright pearly or adamantine luster, and are dimly translucent.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.0 x 0.6" (3.6 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 9.0 g

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

This thumbnail specimen consists of a single large, slightly warped Wulfenite blade. It is in good condition, showing damage at only one corner, and has good tetragonal tabular form even though it is partly intergrown with the crumbly host rock. Its color is a beautiful golden-orange and its luster is vitreous and bright. It is affixed inside a plastic specimen box with a removable putty.

Dims: 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.7" (3.8 x 3.8 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 17.0 g

Glove Mine, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, U.S.A.

Scores of tiny Wulfenite blades are partly embedded in the goethite/limonite host of this large thumbnail specimen. They generally do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length or width, though a few approach 0.2" (5 mm), and though many are damaged, many others are intact and in excellent condition. Their black color is quite odd, and is likely caused by goethite inclusions. All are therefore completely opaque, and each has an adamantine luster.

Dims: 3.1 x 2.3 x 1.9" (7.8 x 5.7 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 5.7 oz. (161 g)

San Francisco Mine, Sonora, Mexico

At least 20 Wulfenite blades rest on the goethite/limonite base of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in very good condition, though there is considerable damage and breakage in one area, and reach dimensions of 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.1" (1.8 x 1.3 x 0.1 cm). All have excellent tetragonal tabular form, a yellow coloration with a subtle orange tinge, and the standard bright vitreous luster. All are transparent and dimly to very clear, depending on the number of internal fractures that each contains. The Wulfenites are accompanied by hundreds of tiny, rounded mimetite nodules that are scattered among them.

Dims: 5.1 x 4.1 x 2.6" (13.1 x 10.4 x 6.5 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 2.5 oz. (978 g)

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This cabinet-sized specimen consists of several dozen tetragonal tabular Wulfenites that extend from a rusty, calcareous base. These crystals are generally in very good condition, though some of them are broken and incomplete, and reach lengths of nearly 0.5" (1.3 cm). All have excellent form and the standard orange color and bright pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are transparent and quite clear, though some are internally fractured. They rest on a white calcite crust that partly covers a base rock of gray limestone and red-brown goethite/limonite.

Dims:1.6x1.5x1.1" (4.1x3.8x2.8 cm)

Wt: 1.2oz. (33g)

San Francisco Mine, Sonora, Mexico

This specimen consists of several blades of golden yellow wulfenite growing from a limonite matrix. The remainder of the exposed surface is covered with tiny rounded nodules of mimetite. This is a classic specimen from a classic locality, and is extremely aesthetic. The largest wulfenite crystal measures 0.6" (1.5cm), and shows a tabular fan of smaller crystals growing from its center. Three of the small crystals that grow alongside the large one have damaged edges; however, this does not significantly detract from this specimen. The nodules of mimetite average 0.05" (0.15cm) and are of a rich honey color.

Dims:3.7x2.4x1.8" (9.4x6.1x4.6 cm)

Wt: 4.4oz. (124g)

Mina el Erupcion, Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

Three beautiful tabular crystals of wulfenite rest on the matrix of this specimen. These wulfenites are nearly transparent, and show no damage at all. This is a very tasteful specimen.

Dims:1.6x1.2x**0.6" (4.1x3.0x1.5 cm)

Wt: 0.4oz. (11g)

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

Several tabular crystals of wulfenite grow from a bit of limonite/goethite matrix in this specimen. The largest crystal measures 0.4" (1.0cm) in length. These crystals are extremely translucent and are a beautiful red color when held up to a bright light. The edge of one crystal has been damaged; otherwise this specimen is in excellent condition.

Dims:2.2x1.6x1.0" (5.6x4.1x2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.6oz. (46g)

San Francisco Mine, Sonora, Mexico

This is another of the lovely wulfenite/mimetite combinations from the San Francisco Mine. There are several blades of wulfenite on this specimen, surrounded (in some cases covered) with small nodules of mimetite. Some of the wulfenite crystals are broken on this specimen, but it is still beautiful. There is a small amount of styrofoam glued to the bottom of this piece.

Dims: 4.13x3.62x4.06" (10.5x9.2x10.3cm)

Wt: 2½lbs (1.13kg)

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, USA

This cabinet specimen displays at least a half dozen wulfenite crystals in a cavity that nearly slices the specimen in two. The best crystals are, unfortunately, several centimeters into the cavity and are well protected from damage, and our view. One of the crystals is near the surface and is well formed (but with a small amount of damage to an edge) and shows excellent orange color and is transparent. There is also a dusting of tiny wulfenite crystals where part of the cavity is exposed. This may be the only wulfenite specimen that I've ever had that could be handed to a child for examination.

Dims: 1.55x1.38x0.23" (3.93x3.51x0.58cm)

Wt: 0.40oz (11.2g)

Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA

This impressively large crystal of wulfenite is yellow, transparent, and vitreous in the bottom two-thirds, and the top one third is brown, opaque and dull on one side. There are several small wulfenite crystals intergrown with the large one, and these provide most of the measured thickness of the specimen - the large blade is only about 2mm thick. The transparent portion of the crystal is criss-crossed with a network of fine white inclusions (I initially thought fractures, but my loupe reveals that most of the fracture lines are cloudy and may be growth artifacts), plus tiny black spots. Actually, it looks a lot like some amber specimens under the loupe).

dims mm=31.19x19.05x9.96

wt g=7.8

Red Cloud Mine, La Paz County, Arizona, USA

This thumbnail specimen of wulfenite shows excellent translucent orange tabular crystals against a backdrop of an off-white mineral (probably calcite) intergrown with more wulfenite.

dims mm=45.36x21.05x19.65

wt g=22.0

Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico

This specimen is dominated by a single thick tabby crystal of translucent orange wulfenite. It has an interesting texture on the edges, and a loupe reveals a bit of damage on the tip of the crystal. The base is a granular calcite, partly covered with a druze of brown mimetite crystals.