What wulfenite is
Wulfenite is a lead molybdate. Like vanadinite it is a secondary mineral, formed where lead ore oxidises near the surface, and it often grows alongside vanadinite, cerussite and mimetite. It was first described in 1845 from Bad Bleiberg in Austria and named after the Austrian mineralogist Franz Xaver von Wulfen.
Its colour is a small chemistry lesson. Pure wulfenite is colourless. The orange and red come from traces of chromium taking the place of molybdenum: a 2013 study by Talla and colleagues found that as little as 0.002 chromium atoms per formula unit is enough to turn a crystal orange.
Wulfenite in Morocco
Wulfenite's most famous localities are in the Americas: the Red Cloud mine in Arizona, whose deep red crystals made it Arizona's state mineral in 2017, and Los Lamentos in Mexico. Morocco is a quieter but steady source.
Touissit, in the northeast near the Algerian border, has produced single wulfenite crystals up to about 5 cm. The Mibladen district near Midelt, better known for vanadinite, also yields orange plates on its limestone and barite, and some dealers label these pieces with the old mining company's name, Ahouli.
How to judge a wulfenite specimen
Wulfenite is judged on its plates:
- Thickness and size of the plates. Large plates that stay sharp and flat are scarce.
- Colour: deep orange to red is preferred over pale yellow, and translucency adds a lot.
- Edges: plate edges chip very easily, so check every edge in the photos.
- Arrangement: plates standing up from the matrix in an open group display far better than plates lying flat.
What wulfenite costs: price data from October 2026
Asking prices read on 28 October 2026. Moroccan wulfenite is mostly an affordable mineral; the high prices belong to famous American localities.
| Source | Listings | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FossilEra, all wulfenite | 32 | $15 to $155 |
| eBay, Moroccan wulfenite, fixed price | 85 | Median $26, middle half $15 to $42 |
Is wulfenite safe to handle? Care
Wulfenite is about 56% lead by weight. It is safe to handle and display: wash your hands afterwards, never ingest it or use it in drinks or elixirs, and do not cut or grind it.
At 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, wulfenite is softer than a copper coin and its thin plates snap easily. Clean it only with a blower or a very soft brush, never in an ultrasonic bath, and pick it up by the matrix, never by a plate.
Questions collectors ask
Where is wulfenite found?
Its best-known localities are the Red Cloud mine in Arizona and Los Lamentos in Mexico. In Morocco it comes from Touissit and the Mibladen district near Midelt.
Is wulfenite safe to handle?
Yes. It contains about 56% lead, so wash your hands after handling it and never ingest it or put it in water you will drink.
What is wulfenite worth?
Most Moroccan wulfenite is affordable: fixed-price eBay listings had a median asking price of $26 on 28 October 2026. Fine plates from famous localities sell for hundreds or thousands.
Why is wulfenite orange?
Pure wulfenite is colourless. Traces of chromium replacing molybdenum turn it yellow, orange or red.