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, 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?+
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How much is meymacite worth?+
What rocks look like meymacite?+
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Find meymacite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
