description Powellite Overview
Powellite is a calcium molybdate mineral with the chemical formula CaMoO₄. It is commonly associated with oxidized parts of molybdenum-bearing deposits and may occur as a secondary mineral. Powellite is notable to mineral collectors because some specimens show bright yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Its name commemorates American geologist John Wesley Powell.
help Powellite FAQ
What is the chemical formula of powellite?
Powellite is calcium molybdate with the chemical formula CaMoO₄. It is a mineral valued by collectors for its color and crystal appearance.
Where does powellite form?
It commonly occurs in oxidized parts of molybdenum-bearing deposits. It may form as a secondary mineral during alteration near those deposits.
What color is powellite?
Some powellite specimens show bright yellow fluorescence. The visible color and fluorescence can vary depending on the specimen and its impurities.
Why do mineral collectors value powellite?
Collectors prize powellite because it can show bright yellow fluorescence. Its association with molybdenum deposits and its calcium molybdate chemistry also make it a distinctive mineral species.
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