Molybdenite

“Slippery silver sheets of molybdenum”

Mineral

Molybdenite is a lead-gray molybdenum sulfide mineral with a metallic luster and a greasy feel similar to graphite. It's the primary ore of molybdenum — an element essential for making high-strength steel alloys used in everything from jet engines to surgical instruments.

Composition

molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂)

Where Found

Climax Mine (Colorado, USA), Questa (New Mexico, USA), Bingham Canyon (Utah), Endako (British Columbia, Canada), China

Mohs Hardness

1-1.5

Fun Fact

Molybdenite was confused with graphite and lead ore for centuries — its name comes from the Greek 'molybdos' meaning lead, because no one could tell them apart until 1778.