Computed from simplified end-member formula. Solid-solution series, water content, and trace substitutions cause real-world variation.
IMA Abbreviation (Whitney-Evans 2010)
Mol
→ Molybdenite
Mo sulfide
Standard symbol from American Mineralogist (Whitney & Evans, 2010). Used in thin-section labeling, phase diagrams, and IMA-style species records.
Pronunciation
/məˈlɪbdənaɪt/
↔ muh-LIB-duh-nite
Greek molybdos (lead-like)
Tenacity
Behavior:
flexible (sheets)
Under stress:
Sheets bend
Like graphite.
Luster
metallic
Blue-gray metallic, like graphite but bluer.
Diaphaneity (Transparency)
opaque
Blue-gray metallic.
Streak Test
bluish gray
Distinguishes from graphite (blacker streak) — important for mineral ID.
Streak = color of the powdered mineral. Drag specimen across unglazed white porcelain plate (Mohs 6.5). For minerals harder than the plate, crush a small flake into powder and observe color.
🟡
Market availability: Uncommon
Found at major shows and select dealers. Quality varies by locality.
🪨
Collector tier: Solid Display
Reliable mid-tier display species. Easy to find in well-formed examples; broad locality diversity.
Mohs1–1.5
Vickers (~)1 HV
Knoop (~)32 HK
Nickel–Strunz2.EA.30
Dana02.12.07.01
Geological setting
♨Hydrothermal
Element composition by mass
Formula: MoS₂ · molar mass: 160.07 g/mol
Mo
59.94%
S
40.06%
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Molybdenite sits at 1–1.5 on the Mohs scale —
soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail.
Colors:
Streak Bluish-gray, greenish-gray on paper
Crystal system Hexagonal
Type localityBispberg, Dalarna, Sweden
Sulfides & SulfosaltsSulfides
TL;DR · 1 min read
Molybdenite (MoS₂) is the principal ore of molybdenum and one of the softest and most slippery sulfide minerals — its hexagonal layered structure produces a graphite-like feel and a metallic blue-gray sheen. While most molybdenite ends up in industrial hardening alloys, collector specimens with sharp hexagonal tabular crystals are prized, particularly from porphyry copper byproduct mines such as Dexing (Jiangxi) and Climax (Colorado).
Molybdenite (MoS₂) is the principal ore of molybdenum and one of the softest and most slippery sulfide minerals — its hexagonal layered structure produces a graphite-like feel and a metallic blue-gray sheen. While most molybdenite ends up in industrial hardening alloys, collector specimens with sharp hexagonal tabular crystals are prized, particularly from porphyry copper byproduct mines such as Dexing (Jiangxi) and Climax (Colorado).
Notable Chinese Localities
The Dexing Copper Mine (Jiangxi) is a major Chinese source — molybdenite occurs as a porphyry-copper byproduct, completing the Cu-Mo-Au chemistry of the deposit. Yangchaiyu (Shaanxi) and Jinduicheng (Shaanxi) host major Mo-only mines with collector-grade tabular crystals.
Cite this entry
APA
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. (2026). Molybdenite. My Mineral Box. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/molybdenite/
MLA
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Molybdenite." My Mineral Box, 2026, https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/molybdenite/. Accessed May 23, 2026.
Chicago
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Molybdenite." My Mineral Box. Last modified May 4, 2026. https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/molybdenite/.
BibTeX
@misc{mmb_molybdenite,
author = {{MyMineralBox Editorial Team}},
title = {{Molybdenite}},
year = {2026},
publisher = {My Mineral Box},
url = {https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/molybdenite/},
urldate = {2026-05-23}
}
