Mpororoite is a rare hydrated tungsten oxide that typically occurs as soft, earthy, or powdery coatings within tungsten-bearing veins. It is most easily identified by its distinct yellowish color in field settings where ferberite has undergone secondary alteration.
Is this mpororoite?
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 mpororoite with a known reference. Mpororoite 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. Streak: yellow white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, powdery.
Often confused with
Mpororoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside mpororoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mpororoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂O(WO₄)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow white
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, powdery
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An alteration product of primary tungsten minerals
Where rockhounds find mpororoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mpororo tungsten deposit, 20 km north of Kisoro, Kigezi district, Uganda
- Kara tungsten mine, southwest of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
- Flo property, Kalzas Mountain, 67 km southeast of Mayo, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Hingston Down quarry, Calstock, Cornwall, England
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An alteration product of primary tungsten minerals. If you start seeing scheelite, ferberite, ferritungstite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, powdery. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mpororoite?+
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What rocks look like mpororoite?+
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Find mpororoite on the map
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