Huanzalaite is a rare tungsten oxide mineral typically found as delicate, pale yellow acicular crystals or radiating sprays. It is most famous for its occurrences in the Huanzala Mine in Peru, where it forms in hydrothermal ore environments.
Is this huanzalaite?
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 huanzalaite with a known reference. Huanzalaite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Huanzalaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Huanzalaite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Huanzalaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Huanzalaite leaves white, Tungstite leaves yellow; luster reads resinous on Huanzalaite and earthy on Tungstite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Huanzalaite and pearly on Hydrotungstite.
Often found alongside huanzalaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with huanzalaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- WO₃·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find huanzalaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal mineral deposits country — that is the host setting where huanzalaite typically forms. If you start seeing tungstite, pyrite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find huanzalaite on the map
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