Comparison · Arsenate Minerals vs Molybdate Minerals
Mimetite vs Wulfenite
Mimetite and Wulfenite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, 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 Mimetite and Wulfenite
- Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Luster is different: Mimetite is resinous while Wulfenite is adamantine.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Mimetite is translucent, Wulfenite is transparent.
- They overlap in yellow, orange, and brown, but Mimetite also comes in green and white and Wulfenite also comes in red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Mimetite is hexagonal, Wulfenite is tetragonal.
Mimetite vs Wulfenite properties
| Property | Mimetite | Wulfenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Arsenate Minerals | Molybdate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.75 | 3 |
| Luster | resinous | adamantine |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 7.24 | 6.8 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Yellow, Orange, Yellow-brown, Pale green, White | Orange, Yellow, Red, Brown |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $15–$600+ | $12–$700+ |
Which is more valuable?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $80 for Wulfenite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
About Mimetite
Mimetite is a lead arsenate mineral that forms in the weathered zones of lead ore deposits. It is admired for its rounded botryoidal crusts and barrel-shaped crystals in warm yellow, orange, and brown tones.
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.
Mimetite vs Wulfenite FAQ
Is Mimetite the same as Wulfenite?
No. Mimetite is a arsenate mineral while Wulfenite is a molybdate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Mimetite from Wulfenite?
Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Luster is different: Mimetite is resinous while Wulfenite is adamantine. Hold a thin edge to the light: Mimetite is translucent, Wulfenite is transparent.
Which is harder, Mimetite or Wulfenite?
Mimetite is harder: Mohs 3.75 against Mohs 3 for Wulfenite.
Which is more valuable, Mimetite or Wulfenite?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $80 for Wulfenite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
