Phyllotungstite is a rare secondary tungsten mineral that typically forms as a dehydration product of primary tungsten ores. Collectors primarily find it as thin, yellow platy crystals or micaceous coatings within vugs of hydrothermal veins.
Is this phyllotungstite?
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 phyllotungstite with a known reference. Phyllotungstite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Phyllotungstite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Phyllotungstite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Phyllotungstite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wolframite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Phyllotungstite leaves yellow, Wolframite leaves dark brown to black; luster reads pearly on Phyllotungstite and submetallic to metallic on Wolframite.
How to tell apart: Scheelite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 2); streak differs — Phyllotungstite leaves yellow, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Phyllotungstite and vitreous on Scheelite.
Often found alongside phyllotungstite
Minerals reported to co-occur with phyllotungstite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe³⁺₃(WO₄)₃(OH)₃·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tungsten Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find phyllotungstite
Classic worldwide localities
- Felbertal, Austria
- St. Leonhard, Austria
- Cínovec, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tungsten deposits country — that is the host setting where phyllotungstite typically forms. If you start seeing scheelite, ferberite, meymacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find phyllotungstite on the map
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