Wiklundite is a rare lead-tungsten-arsenic mineral originally discovered in the Långban iron-manganese deposit in Sweden. It typically presents as small, yellow, resinous-lustered tabular crystals associated with other complex manganese and lead oxides.
Is this wiklundite?
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 wiklundite with a known reference. Wiklundite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wiklundite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wiklundite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Wiklundite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wiklundite leaves yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Wiklundite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wiklundite leaves yellow, Vanadinite leaves white.
Often found alongside wiklundite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wiklundite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂W(Fe³⁺,Mn²⁺)₂(AsO₄)₂O₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-800 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wiklundite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban mine, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where wiklundite typically forms. If you start seeing hausmannite, barite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wiklundite?+
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How much is wiklundite worth?+
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Find wiklundite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
