Molybdenite-3R
A structural variant of Molybdenite
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About Molybdenite-3R
Formula:
MoS2
May contain minor amounts of W substituting for Mo, unlike molybdenite-3R (Graeser, 1964).
Crystal System:
Trigonal
First Recorded Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2745
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2745:4
Classification of Molybdenite-3R
3.8.7
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
8 : Sulphides etc. of Cr, Mo, W an Mn
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
8 : Sulphides etc. of Cr, Mo, W an Mn
Chemistry of Molybdenite-3R
Mindat Formula:
MoS2
May contain minor amounts of W substituting for Mo, unlike molybdenite-3R (Graeser, 1964).
May contain minor amounts of W substituting for Mo, unlike molybdenite-3R (Graeser, 1964).
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Molybdenite-3R
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.16 Å, c = 18.33 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 5.801
Unit Cell V:
158.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
First Recorded Occurrence of Molybdenite-3R
Other Language Names for Molybdenite-3R
Russian:Молибденит-3R
Common Associates
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Molybdenite-3R
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2745.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
References for Molybdenite-3R
Reference List:
Takéuchi, Y.; Nowacki, W. (1964) Detailed crystal structure of rhombohedral MoS2 and systematic deduction of possible polytypes of molybdenite. Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, 44. 105-120 doi:10.5169/SEALS-34328
Graeser, G. (1964) Über Funde der neuen rhomboedrischen MoS2-Modifikation (Molybdänit-3R) und von Tungstenit in den Alpen. Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, 44. 121-128 doi:10.5169/SEALS-34329
Wickman, Frans E., Smith, Deane K. (1970) Molybdenite polytypes in theory and occurrence: I. Theoretical considerations of polytypism in molybdenite. American Mineralogist, 55 (11-12) 1843-1856
Frondel, Judith W., Wickman, Frans E. (1970) Molybdenite polytypes in theory and occurrence: II. Some naturally-occurring polytypes of molybdenite. American Mineralogist, 55 (11-12) 1857-1875
Clark, Alan H. (1971) Molybdenite 2H1, molybdenite 3R, and jordisite from Carrizal Alto, Atacama, Chile. American Mineralogist, 56 (9-10). 1832-1834
WATANABE, Makoto, SOEDA, Akira (1978) Finding of rhombohedral modification (3R-type) of molybdenite from Japan. Mineralogical Journal, 9 (3) 182-187 doi:10.2465/minerj.9.182
Newberry, Rainer J. J. (1979) Polytypism in molybdenite (Il): relationships between polytypism, ore deposition/alteration stages and rhenium contents. American Mineralogist, 64 (7-8) 768-775
Newberry, Rainer J. J. (1979) Polytypism in molybdenite (I): a non-equilibrium impurity-induced phenomenon. American Mineralogist, 64 (7-8) 758-767
Schönfeld, B.; Huang, J. J.; Moss, S. C. (1983) Anisotropic mean-square displacements (MSD) in single-crystals of 2H- and 3R-MoS2. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 39 (4). 404-407 doi:10.1107/s0108768183002645
Plotinskaya, Olga Y., Shilovskikh, Vladimir V., Najorka, Jens, Kovalchuk, Elena V., Seltmann, Reimar, Spratt, John (2019) Grain-scale distribution of molybdenite polytypes versus rhenium contents: μXRD and EBSD data. Mineralogical Magazine, 83 (5) 639-644 doi:10.1180/mgm.2019.49
Belogub, Elena V., Shilovskikh, Vladimir V., Rassomakhin, Michail A., Plotinskaya, Olga Yu., Savichev, Alexandr N., Filippova, Ksenia A., Kirichenko, Sergey, Spratt, John, Seltmann, Reimar (2022) Scroll-like and platy molybdenite-3R from the Ufaley metamorphic block, South Urals: EBSD, XRD, SEM, EPMA and ICP-MS study. Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (3) 422-435 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.35
Localities for Molybdenite-3R
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Melcher et al. (2019) |
Canada | |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
| Traill (1963) |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Senpo Wen (2009) |
| Ren et al. (2025) |
Greenland | |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
Italy | |
| Mattioli (1979) +1 other reference |
| Graeser et al. (1974) +2 other references | |
| Mattioli (1979) +1 other reference | |
| Sergio Varvelo specimens |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
Japan | |
| Soeda et al. (1979) |
Mexico | |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
Norway | |
| Nordrum (2006) |
| Nordrum et al. (1981) | |
| Nordrum et al. (2006) | |
Russia | |
| Plotinskaya et al. (2015) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) |
| Kalinin (2021) |
| Znamenskii V.S. et al. (1970) |
Switzerland | |
| Nowacki (1970) |
| |
| Most recent: Gea 1993/04 p.137 with ... +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Newberry (1979) |
| Mandarino et al. (1970) | |
| The American Mineralogist +1 other reference |
Zambia | |
| Stanislav Vrána |




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The
Marie Prospect, Mumbwa, Mumbwa District, Central Province, Zambia