Almost colorless single crystal sheet of the rare mineral molybdophyllite from the TL in the famous Langban deposit in Sweden. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Molybdophyllite
Molybdophyllite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Pb₈Mg₉[Si₁₀O₂₈(OH)₈O₂(CO₃)₃]·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2). It is a member of the Molybdophyllite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3–4; specific gravity 4.717; Vitreous; pearly on {001} luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Mdp, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1901.
Found in skarns in granular limestone or dolostone.
It is found associated with Hausmannite, calcite, rhodonite, garnet.
Its name comes from the Greek molybdos, for lead, and phyllos, for leaf, in allusion to its lead content and foliated habit.