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Molybdenite (Photo) [abbr. Mol ]

Year of discovery: 1807 (World), 1894 (Japan)

Locality list: 570 localities of molybdenite

• MoS₂
• [Mo⁶⁺][S₂]

• Class: Molybdenite group
• Class: Sulfide
• Insoluble in: HCl
• Formed by alteration of Kamiokite.
• Substitution pseudomorph: Replaced by Powellite.

• Polymorph: Jordisite (Amorphous)

• Mo => W: Tungstenite
• Mo => Mn: Hauerite
• Mo => Co: Cattierite
• Mo => Os: Erlichmanite
• Mo => Ru: Laurite
• Mo => Ni: Vaesite
• Mo => Cu: Villamanínite (Villamaninite)
• Mo => Fe: Pyrite, Marcasite

• S => Se: Drysdallite

• Color: Black, Lead gray
• Streak: Bluish gray
• Luster: Metallic
• Diaphaneity: Opaque

• Habit: Hexagonal platy, Tabular, Prismatic, and Barrel shape
• Aggregate: Radial
• Striation: Trigonal {10-11} on {0001}

• Cleavage: Perfect on {0001} (1 plane)
• Hardness: 1-1.5
• Density: 4.7

• System: Hexagonal (2H, common), Trigonal (3R, rare) (Layer-stacking polytype)
• Group: 6/mmm, P6₃/mmc
• Lattice: a=3.2, c=12.3

Etymology: Molybdos (lead) in Greek