Wulfenite Crystals, Erupcion X, Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico (EA10565) Yellow For Sale

This substantial specimen from the Erupción Mine, Los Lamentos, Chihuahua, Mexico, features bright yellow orange wulfenite crystals perched on contrasting white calcite. Measuring 140 × 105 × 70 mm and weighing 807 grams, the piece displays well-formed, tabular wulfenite crystals with a vivid, translucent orange colour and sharp, reflective faces. The wulfenite occurs across multiple areas of the specimen, standing out strongly against the coarse calcite matrix. The combination of lustrous crystal surfaces and the warm, saturated orange tone gives the piece immediate visual impact and strong display presence.

Wulfenite from Los Lamentos is globally recognised for its exceptional crystal quality, colour, and thickness. The region’s hydrothermal lead deposits provided ideal conditions for the formation of this lead molybdate mineral, with oxidising fluids depositing wulfenite in open cavities and fractures within the ore body. The Erupción Mine in particular is noted for producing rich orange crystals of substantial size, often associated with calcite, mimetite, and other secondary lead species. The calcite matrix reflects the carbonate host environment into which mineralising fluids circulated, providing a stable substrate for wulfenite crystallisation.

The vibrant colour of the wulfenite arises from trace molybdenum content and the mineral’s strong internal light absorption, which produces a striking contrast to the pale, crystalline calcite. The sharp edges, smooth tabular habit, and high lustre demonstrate favourable crystallisation conditions within an open, well-ventilated part of the oxidised zone. Light passing across the crystal surfaces reveals subtle internal zoning and transparency variations typical of high-quality Los Lamentos material. The calcite matrix adds texture and brightness, complementing the wulfenite rather than overwhelming it.

As a large and well-developed example from one of Mexico’s most iconic wulfenite localities, this specimen offers both aesthetic strength and mineralogical significance. Its combination of bold colour, crisp crystal development, and sizeable, well-balanced form makes it an appealing addition for collectors of Mexican minerals, lead molybdates, or display-grade cabinet specimens. The piece stands as a clear representation of the Erupción Mine’s renowned output and preserves the geological story of oxidation-zone mineralisation within one of the world’s classic wulfenite deposits.