Hydrokenoelsmoreite is a rare tungstate, typically colorless. It is a secondary mineral in the weathering zone of greisen vein and stockwork systems in granite. It is associated with wolframite and quartz. It was first described from the Drakelands mine (formerly the Hemerdon mine), ~10 km east of Plymouth, Devon, England.
Is this hydrokenoelsmoreite?
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 hydrokenoelsmoreite with a known reference. Hydrokenoelsmoreite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Hydrokenoelsmoreite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Pyrochlore is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. ~3); streak differs, so Hydrokenoelsmoreite leaves white, Pyrochlore leaves brown.
How to tell apart: Bindheimite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. ~3); luster reads vitreous on Hydrokenoelsmoreite and resinous, dull, earthy on Bindheimite.
Often found alongside hydrokenoelsmoreite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydrokenoelsmoreite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ☐₂W₂O₆(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 6.025 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral crystals, granular, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Secondary in the weathering zone of greisen vein and stockwork systems in granite
Where rockhounds find hydrokenoelsmoreite
Classic worldwide localities
- Drakelands mine (formerly known as the Hemerdon mine), ~ 10 km east of Plymouth, Devon, England (3C and 6R)
- Elsmore tin deposit, Elsmore Hill, 17 km east of Inverell and adjacent to Elsmore, New England region, New South Wales, Australia (3C)
- Flo property, Kalzas Mountain, Yukon, Canada (3C)
- Reported from the Wolfram Wonder prospect, 15 km north of Cathcart, New South Wales and Pittong, Victoria, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Secondary in the weathering zone of greisen vein and stockwork systems in granite. If you start seeing wolframite, quartz, white mica in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, granular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hydrokenoelsmoreite?+
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What rocks look like hydrokenoelsmoreite?+
What minerals are found with hydrokenoelsmoreite?+
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Find hydrokenoelsmoreite on the map
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