Molybdomenite Locality: El Dragón mine, Antonio Quijarro Province , Potosí Department , Bolivia ( Locality at mindat.org ) Picture width 3 mm. Collection and photograph Christian Rewitzer — Photo: Christian Rewitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Molybdomenite
Molybdomenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula PbSe⁴⁺O₃.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/m).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 7.07; Pearly, adamantine, to greasy luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Mdm, IMA status: approved, named in 1882.
A rare species in the oxidized zone of selenium-bearing hydrothermal base metal deposits.
It is found associated with Chalcomenite (Cerro de Cacheuta, Argentina); clausthalite, uraninite, calcite (Ranwick mine, Canada); chalcomenite, cobaltomenite, schmiederite.
Its name comes from the Greek for lead and moon, in reference to its composition, selenium being named for the moon.