Meymacite is a rare hydrated tungsten oxide that typically forms as an earthy, yellow to brownish coating on other tungsten-bearing minerals. It is primarily found as a secondary alteration product in weathered hydrothermal tungsten deposits and is highly prized by mineral collectors specializing in rare species.
Is this meymacite?
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 meymacite with a known reference. Meymacite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meymacite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meymacite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: powdery.
Often confused with
Meymacite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meymacite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meymacite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- WO₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.5-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Powdery
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tungsten Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find meymacite
Classic worldwide localities
- Meymac, France
- Ultevis, Sweden
- Salzburg, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tungsten deposits country — that is the host setting where meymacite typically forms. If you start seeing scheelite, ferberite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a powdery habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify meymacite?+
Where is meymacite found?+
How much is meymacite worth?+
What rocks look like meymacite?+
What minerals are found with meymacite?+
What kind of rock does meymacite form in?+
What is meymacite used for?+
Find meymacite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
