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

Other 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

Additional Information

Mineralogy Database: Wolframite

Authority

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "wolframite" Encyclopædia Britannica [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, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolframite (Accessed Sept. 20, 2005) Mohs = 4-4.5