Molybdenite on Feldspar from the Bandaksli Mines, Norway

This attractive collector specimen displays several highly lustrous molybdenite aggregates on a light feldspar matrix. The silvery metallic crystal surfaces reflect the light impressively and create a beautiful contrast with the light-colored rock matrix.

Molybdenite is one of the most important ores of molybdenum and is known for its pronounced metallic luster and platy crystal structure. The Bandaksli Mines in the Norwegian county of Telemark are among the classic European localities for this mineral and have been known among collectors for many decades.

The molybdenite is accompanied by a black associated mineral whose identification has not been confirmed. However, this does not detract from the attractive appearance of the specimen.

This specimen is especially suitable for collectors of classic Scandinavian localities and for enthusiasts of metallic ores.

The Bandaksli Locality, Telemark, Norway

The Bandaksli molybdenum mines are located in the Norwegian county of Telemark and are among the classic localities for molybdenite in Scandinavia. The occurrence consists of several small historic mines in which molybdenite was extracted from granitic pegmatites and quartz-feldspar-rich veins. In addition to molybdenite, minerals found there include quartz, potassium feldspar, muscovite, fluorite, and powellite. Today, the mines are primarily of mineralogical importance and are known among collectors for their silvery, lustrous molybdenite specimens.