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, so Wiklundite leaves yellow, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads resinous on Wiklundite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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.
