Tungstenite is a rare sulfide mineral that is chemically and structurally analogous to molybdenite, though it is significantly denser. Collectors typically find it in hydrothermal environments or hot spring deposits as thin, platy, metallic gray leaves that appear remarkably similar to graphite or molybdenite.
Is this tungstenite?
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 tungstenite with a known reference. Tungstenite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tungstenite leaves a gray-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tungstenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses, earthy.
Often confused with
Tungstenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tungstenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tungstenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- WS₂
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 7.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Gray-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Foliated Masses, Earthy
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Hot Spring Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and rarity
Where rockhounds find tungstenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Yellowstone National Park, USA
- Tungstenite, Nevada, USA
- Kamchatka, Russia
- Kyzyl-Tas, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, hot spring deposits country — that is the host setting where tungstenite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, pyrite, realgar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, foliated masses, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tungstenite on the map
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