Molybdenite
| Colour | Gray, Black |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 1–1.5 |
| Lustre | Metallic |
| Streak | Bluish gray |
| Crystal system | Common, 2H polytype: hexagonal 3R polytype: trigonal |
| Transparency | Nearly opaque; translucent in thin flakes |
| Cleavage | Perfect on [0001] |
| Chemical formula | Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) |
| Specific gravity | 4.73 |
What is Molybdenite?
Molybdenite is a mineral of molybdenum disulfide, MoS2. Similar in appearance and feel to graphite, molybdenite has a lubricating effect that is a consequence of its layered structure. The atomic structure consists of a sheet of molybdenum atoms sandwiched between sheets of sulfur atoms. The Mo-S bonds are strong, but the interaction between the sulfur atoms at the top and bottom of separate sandwich-like tri-layers is weak, resulting in easy slippage as well as cleavage planes. Molybdenite crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system as the common polytype 2H and also in the trigonal system a
How to identify Molybdenite
- Lustre: Metallic.
- Hardness: Mohs 1–1.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: Bluish gray.
- Habit: Common, 2H polytype: hexagonal 3R polytype: trigonal crystal system.
Molybdenite in different forms
Stones often confused with Molybdenite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Molybdenite?
Molybdenite is Mohs 1–1.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Molybdenite?
Molybdenite is typically gray, black (Black, lead-silvery gray).