Wolframite
Wolframite is a tungstate mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution, with several world-class Chinese localities.
About Wolframite
Wolframite is a tungstate mineral in the wolframite group (series: ferberite fe end-member ↔ hübnerite mn end-member) and has the chemical formula (Fe,Mn)WO4. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and holds a steady position among tungstate species. Its combination of structural character and global distribution make it a recognized species in both systematic and aesthetic collections.
Identification & care
Specimens usually show prismatic, tabular, striated crystals; sub-parallel groups ('blades'); massive. Its color range is broad, including reddish brown, dark brown, iron-black, and grayish black. The luster is sub-metallic, resinous, the streak is reddish brown to black, and specimens are typically opaque. The cleavage is perfect on {010}. The fracture is uneven, which aids identification.
Collector context
How it forms
The geological setting for Wolframite is typically high-temperature hydrothermal veins (greisens) in granite-related systems; contact metamorphic skarns; quartz-vein systems with cassiterite. It is commonly found in association with cassiterite, molybdenite, scheelite, quartz, topaz, fluorite, arsenopyrite.
Classic Chinese localities
**Shizhuyuan Mine** is a benchmark source for wolframite. **Dachang ore field** and **Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit** are an important Chinese source for the species.
Why collectors care
Collectors pursue Wolframite for the clarity of its crystal form and, in good material, saturated color that reads instantly across a display case. A well-terminated wolframite on clean matrix photographs well, identifies quickly, and anchors a cabinet piece. Top Chinese specimens over the last two decades have reset the bar for what wolframite looks like at collector grade.
What affects value
Value in Wolframite is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) size relative to the species norm; (3) crystal form and termination sharpness; (4) color saturation and zoning; (5) transparency and internal clarity; (6) matrix quality and aesthetic balance; (7) condition (absence of damage, chips, or repair). Cleaning quality and verified locality documentation act as multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Wolframite has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.