Wolframite

Wolframite (iron-maganese tungstate)

Description

A metallic ore containing both iron tungstate and manganese tungstate. Wolframite occurs as veins in granite rocks. It is found in England (Cornwall), Spain, Portugal, Germany, Myanmar (formerly Burma), the Malay Peninsula, Australia and the U.S. (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, North Carolina). Similar tungstate minerals are hübnerite (manganese tungstate) and ferberite (iron tungstate). All three of these ores are used as a source of Tungsten.

Synonyms and Related Terms

hübnerite; huebnerite; ferberite; Wolframit (Deut.); wolframita (Port.)

Raman

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Crystals = prismatic:short, striated, and flattened.
• Fracture = uneven.
• Streak = gray or black.
• Luster = metallic to submetallic.
• Cleavage = perfect (lengthwise)

Mohs Hardness	4.0-4.5
Density	7.12-7.51 g/ml

Resources and Citations

• Mineralogy Database: Wolframite

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "wolframite" [Accessed December 4, 2001]. : Mohs = 5-5.5

• C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 Comment: Mohs 4-4.5

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolframite (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005) Mohs = 4-4.5