Wolframitin

Wolframitin is a rare mineral with the chemical formula (Fe,Mn)WO4. It is named after the Wolfram mine in the Harz Mountains of Germany, where it was first discovered. Wolframitin is a tungstate mineral, meaning it contains the tungstate anion (WO4)2-. It typically forms as an accessory mineral in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. The mineral is known for its distinctive dark brown to black color, which is due to the presence of iron and manganese in its structure. Wolframitin is also notable for its high density, with a specific gravity of around 7.3 to 7.5. It has a hardness of 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft compared to other minerals. The mineral is not commonly used in industry due to its rarity and the presence of more abundant and economically viable tungstate minerals. Wolframitin is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying the geochemistry of tungstates.