Ferberite is the iron-rich endmember of the wolframite group and is highly sought after by collectors for its sharp, dark, submetallic crystal blades. It is primarily found in high-temperature hydrothermal quartz veins associated with granitic intrusions. Collectors often look for high-contrast specimens where the black blades stand out clearly against white matrix minerals like quartz.
Is this ferberite?
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 ferberite with a known reference. Ferberite sits at Mohs 4-4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ferberite leaves a dark brown to black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ferberite typically shows a submetallic to metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular, prismatic, or bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Ferberite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Columbium Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4-4.5); streak differs — Ferberite leaves dark brown to black, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black; luster reads submetallic to metallic on Ferberite and submetallic on Columbium Ore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Ferberite leaves dark brown to black, Iron Ore leaves reddish-brown to black; luster reads submetallic to metallic on Ferberite and metallic to submetallic on Iron Ore.
Often found alongside ferberite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferberite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeWO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark Brown to Black
- Luster
- Submetallic to Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Prismatic, Or Bladed Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Tungsten
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins and Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 for good thumbnail or cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find ferberite
Classic worldwide localities
- Panasqueira, Portugal
- Tasna, Bolivia
- Boulder County, Colorado, USA
- Yaogangxian, China
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites country — that is the host setting where ferberite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, prismatic, or bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ferberite on the map
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