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, 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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