Anthoinite is a rare aluminum tungstate mineral that typically occurs as soft, powdery, or earthy coatings on other tungsten-bearing ores. It is primarily identified by its distinctive pearly luster when found in small, dense aggregates within weathered pegmatite deposits.
Is this anthoinite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch anthoinite with a known reference. Anthoinite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Anthoinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Anthoinite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: powdery, earthy, massive, or as fine crusts.
Often confused with
Anthoinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside anthoinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with anthoinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AlWO₃(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.8-5.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Powdery, Earthy, Massive, Or as Fine Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find anthoinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Sichuan, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where anthoinite typically forms. If you start seeing tungstite, ferberite, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a powdery, earthy, massive, or as fine crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find anthoinite on the map
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