Wolframite is a dense, heavy mineral that serves as the primary ore for tungsten. It is typically found as dark, submetallic, bladed crystals in quartz veins associated with granitic igneous rocks.
Is this wolframite?
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 wolframite with a known reference. Wolframite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: reddish brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish black, iron black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: lamellar, massive, prismatic.
Often confused with
Wolframite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Columbite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Wolframite leaves reddish brown, Columbite leaves blackish brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wolframite leaves reddish brown, Hematite leaves cherry-red or reddish brown; luster reads submetallic on Wolframite and metallic or submetallic to dull on Hematite.
How to tell apart: Cassiterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Wolframite leaves reddish brown, Cassiterite leaves white, pale brown, pale gray; luster reads submetallic on Wolframite and adamantine to adamantine metallic, splendent; may be greasy on fractures on Cassiterite.
Often found alongside wolframite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wolframite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Mn)WO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 7.1-7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Reddish brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar, massive, prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore source for tungsten
- Host rock
- Group name for the hübnerite - ferberite series
Where rockhounds find wolframite
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- China
- Portugal
- Bolivia
- Russia
- USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Group name for the hübnerite - ferberite series. If you start seeing quartz, cassiterite, molybdenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: lamellar, massive, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Connecticut, New Mexico, South Dakota. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify wolframite?+
Where is wolframite found?+
Can I find wolframite in the United States?+
What rocks look like wolframite?+
What minerals are found with wolframite?+
What kind of rock does wolframite form in?+
What is wolframite used for?+
Find wolframite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
