Molybdenite

Info: The six-sided crystals of molybdenite are very simillar to graphite. Molybdenite often forms thin agregates. Its opaque sulfide with strong metalic shine, darkgrey colour with purple shade. Molybdenite is relatively soft, but heavy.

How to Recognize: Frop graphite the mineral can be easly recognized by its different colour on paper. The colour of the trace left on paper by molybdenite is blue-black, the trace of the graphite is grey-black.

Found: Large and famous deposits of molybdenite are found in Arendal (Norway), Sardinia (Italy), Azegouru (Maroco), Queensland (Australia), and in Quebec (Canada). In Czech Republic molybdenite is found in Horní Krupka, Skutečsko, Jílovsko.

Used for: As ore for the production of molybden, which is used in steel production. Also is used as a dry grease in areas where elements come in close hot friction.