Huebnerite is a manganese-rich member of the wolframite group, prized by collectors for its sharp, bladed reddish-brown crystals. It is best identified by its high density, submetallic luster, and characteristic perfect cleavage. It is typically found in high-temperature hydrothermal quartz veins associated with granitic intrusions.
Is this huebnerite?
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 huebnerite with a known reference. Huebnerite 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. Huebnerite leaves a yellowish to reddish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Huebnerite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, reddish-brown, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, tabular, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Huebnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside huebnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with huebnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnWO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 7.1-7.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish to Reddish-brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, Tabular, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Tungsten
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Quartz Veins in Granite
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail, $200-800 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find huebnerite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Silverton, Colorado, USA
- Pastocasa, Bolivia
- Kara-Oba, Kazakhstan
- Panasqueira, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal quartz veins in granite country, the host setting where huebnerite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed, tabular, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico. Start trip planning there.
More huebnerite photos
Common questions
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Find huebnerite on the map
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