Comparison · Minerals vs Molybdate Minerals
Calcite vs Wulfenite
Calcite and Wulfenite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Calcite and Wulfenite
- Both sit near Mohs 3, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Wulfenite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 6.8 versus 2.7 for Calcite).
- They overlap in yellow and orange, but Calcite also comes in clear, blue, green, and pink and Wulfenite also comes in red and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Calcite is trigonal, Wulfenite is tetragonal.
Calcite vs Wulfenite properties
| Property | Calcite | Wulfenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Molybdate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3 | 3 |
| Luster | vitreous | adamantine |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 6.8 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink | Orange, Yellow, Red, Brown |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$100+ | $12–$700+ |
Which is more valuable?
Wulfenite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $80 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Wulfenite can reach $700 or more.
About Calcite
Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth, found in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. It's the primary component of limestone and marble.
About Wulfenite
Wulfenite is a lead molybdate famous for its brilliant orange to yellow tabular crystals. A secondary mineral of oxidized lead deposits, it is a highly popular collector species and a minor ore of molybdenum.
Calcite vs Wulfenite FAQ
Is Calcite the same as Wulfenite?
No. Calcite is a mineral while Wulfenite is a molybdate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 3, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Calcite from Wulfenite?
Both sit near Mohs 3, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Wulfenite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 6.8 versus 2.7 for Calcite). They overlap in yellow and orange, but Calcite also comes in clear, blue, green, and pink and Wulfenite also comes in red and brown.
Which is harder, Calcite or Wulfenite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 3.
Which is more valuable, Calcite or Wulfenite?
Wulfenite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $80 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Wulfenite can reach $700 or more.
