Tungstibite is a rare antimony tungstate mineral usually found as fine-grained, earthy, or pulverulent crusts coating other minerals. It is typically associated with oxidized stibnite deposits and is valued by collectors for its rarity rather than aesthetic display.
Is this tungstibite?
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 tungstibite with a known reference. Tungstibite sits at Mohs 1.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tungstibite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tungstibite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, earthy, powdery crusts.
Often confused with
Tungstibite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Stibiconite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 1.5); streak differs — Tungstibite leaves yellow, Stibiconite leaves white; luster reads earthy on Tungstibite and dull on Stibiconite.
How to tell apart: Bindheimite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 1.5).
Often found alongside tungstibite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tungstibite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂WO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5
- Density
- 6.8-6.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Earthy, Powdery Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Antimony Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find tungstibite
Classic worldwide localities
- Japan
- China
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal antimony deposits country — that is the host setting where tungstibite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, scheelite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, earthy, powdery crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tungstibite on the map
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