Wolframite: The mineral wolframite information and pictures

About

Wolframite is not scientifically classified as an individual mineral species by the IMA. However, it is universally recognized as a mineral series, with the minerals Huebnerite and Ferberite being its end members. Huebnerite is the manganese-rich end member, and Ferberite is the iron-rich end member. The term Wolframite can be used generally to describe unspecified members of this group, or to describe the intermediary member of this series. Wolframite is named for its tungsten content, since wolfram means tungsten in German.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Most often in long prismatic crystals, columnar groups, blocky and chisel-shaped crystals, and flattened tabular crystals. Also in dense bladed clusters and rosettes, reticulated, acicular, grainy, in veins, encrusting, and massive. Crystals are often striated lengthwise, and may be twinned as repeated twins with a v-shaped notch in the center.

Other ID Marks

May be weakly attracted to magnets in iron-rich specimens.

Striking Features

Heavy weight, color, cleavage, and mode of occurrence.

Environment

Tungsten deposits composed of high and medium temperature hydrothermal Quartz veins; also in granite pegmatites.

Varieties

✓ common · ✗ uncommon

Reinite— Pseudomorph of Ferberite/Wolframite after Scheelite.

Uses

Wolframite is an important ore of tungsten. Good specimens are not common, and are highly desired by mineral collectors.

Noteworthy Localities

See Huebnerite and Ferberite for specific localities.

Common Mineral Associations

Quartz, Hematite, Arsenopyrite, Fluorite, Apatite, Siderite, Dolomite, Cassiterite

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Rutile - Harder, crystals are usually thinner.
Goethite - Has a lower specific gravity.
Columbite-Tantalite series - Different crystal form, cleavage less distinguishable.

Wolframite

About

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Other ID Marks

Striking Features

Environment

Varieties

Uses

Noteworthy Localities

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Photos

Crystal forms

Wolframite

Abouti

Crystal Forms & Aggregatesi

Other ID Marksi

Striking Featuresi

Environmenti

Varietiesi

Usesi

Noteworthy Localitiesi

Common Mineral Associationsi

Distinguishing Similar Mineralsi

Photos

Crystal forms

About

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Other ID Marks

Striking Features

Environment

Varieties

Uses

Noteworthy Localities

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals