CHILLAGITE

    Class : Sulfates, chromates, molybdates
    Subclass : Molybdates
    Crystal system : Tetragonal
    Chemistry : PbMoO4
    Rarity : Very rare


Chillagite is a tungstitious variety of wulfenite, individualized because it has a chemical composition intermediate between those of stolzite and wulfenite, the result of a partial replacement of molybdenum by tungsten. Its name comes from its locality of discovery : Chillagoe (Australia). It is a rare variety, whose morphological and gitotomological characteristics are those of wulfenite sensu stricto : thin tablets of square section, of a less bright color than the latter yellow, pale yellow-orange, gray or black known in the oxidation zone of lead-molybdenum deposits in an arid climate. It is a very accessory molybdenum ore and a variety little known to collectors.

Main photo : Chillagite from Tsumeb Mine, Namibia © Neal Luppescu

Chillagite in the World

Magnificent chillagite crystals (up to 5 cm) were brought back from the molybdenite deposit of Saint-Fost de Campcentellas, near Barcelona (Spain). It is also described in the Christmas Gift mine, near Chillagoe (Australia) as well as in Tsumeb (Namibia).

Chillagite in France

This mineral is not present in the French underground.

Twinning and special forms

No known twin for this mineral variety.

Fakes and treatments

No known fakes or treatments for this mineral variety.



Hardness : 2.5 to 3
Density : 6.5 to 7
Fracture : Irregular to subconchoidal
Trace : White, white-yellow




TP : Translucent to transparent
IR : 2.283 to 2.405
Birefringence : 0.122
Optical character : Uniaxial -
Pleochroism : Weak
Fluorescence : None


Solubility : Sulfuric acid

Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None

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