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, so Markascherite leaves yellowish-brown, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Markascherite and vitreous on Scheelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, so 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, 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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