This exceptional thumbnail stolzite is from a find of this species in the 1990's from the Sainte-Lucie mine, France. This small, but notable lead-zinc mine produced the best of species crystals of stolzite and this piece as well as other pieces in this update are superb examples.

What is Stolzite used for?

They are used as scintillators in particle physics because of their short radiation length (0.89 cm), low Molière radius (2.2 cm), quick scintillation response, and radiation hardness. Lead tungstate crystals are used in the Compact Muon Solenoid's electromagnetic calorimeter.

How is wulfenite formed?

Wulfenite is a secondary lead (Pb) mineral, which means it is formed during the oxidation (weathering) of galena, the primary lead mineral. Because wulfenite contains lead, it's pretty heavy for having such thin and delicate crystals! Those crystals are tetragonal and usually found as tabular, flat, square plates.