Markascherite is a rare copper tungstate mineral that typically forms as an alteration product of scheelite in oxidized hydrothermal veins. Collectors usually find it as brownish-black, resinous crusts or small tabular crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from other tungsten-bearing secondary minerals without chemical testing.
Is this markascherite?
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 markascherite with a known reference. Markascherite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Markascherite leaves a yellowish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Markascherite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, black, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Markascherite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Scheelite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Markascherite leaves yellowish-brown, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Markascherite and vitreous on Scheelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Markascherite leaves yellowish-brown, Wolframite leaves dark brown to black; luster reads resinous on Markascherite and submetallic to metallic on Wolframite.
How to tell apart: Cuprotungstite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Markascherite leaves yellowish-brown, Cuprotungstite leaves pale yellowish-green; luster reads resinous on Markascherite and dull on Cuprotungstite.
Often found alongside markascherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with markascherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuWO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.0-6.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Tungsten Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find markascherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Calico District, California, USA
- Guanajuato, Mexico
- Broken Hill, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal tungsten deposits country — that is the host setting where markascherite typically forms. If you start seeing scheelite, quartz, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find markascherite on the map
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