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, so 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, so 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, 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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