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Tungstenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Tungstenite
Formula:
WS2
Colour:
Lead-gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
7.4
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its tungsten content.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4051
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4051:4
Similar Names
| Native Tungsten | A valid IMA mineral species | W |
| Tungstibite | A valid IMA mineral species | Sb23+WO6 |
| Tungstite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | WO3 · H2O |
| Tungusite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca4Fe2Si6O15(OH)6 |
IMA Classification of Tungstenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
W4+S2-2
First published:
1917
Classification of Tungstenite
2.EA.30
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
A : M:S = 1:2 - With Cu, Ag, Au
2.12.10.3
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
3.8.10
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
8 : Sulphides etc. of Cr, Mo, W an Mn
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
8 : Sulphides etc. of Cr, Mo, W an Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tgt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Tgs | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Tungstenite
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Lead-gray
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Comment:
Soils fingers
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{0001}
{0001}
Density:
7.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.732 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tungstenite
Anisotropism:
strong in colors of pink and deep blue
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 24.4% | 53.4% |
| 420nm | 22.6% | 48.0% |
| 440nm | 20.8% | 48.6% |
| 460nm | 19.9% | 40.5% |
| 480nm | 19.3% | 39.0% |
| 500nm | 18.8% | 37.8% |
| 520nm | 18.5% | 36.8% |
| 540nm | 18.2% | 36.0% |
| 560nm | 18.0% | 35.3% |
| 580nm | 17.8% | 35.0% |
| 600nm | 17.8% | 34.9% |
| 620nm | 17.9% | 34.9% |
| 640nm | 18.0% | 34.8% |
| 660nm | 18.1% | 34.7% |
| 680nm | 18.0% | 34.5% |
| 700nm | 17.9% | 34.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 53.4%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Pure white
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
very high
Chemistry of Tungstenite
Mindat Formula:
WS2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Crystallography of Tungstenite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Tungstenite-2H | Tungstenite-3R |
|---|---|
| WS2 | WS2 |
| Hexagonal | Trigonal |
| 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal | 3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal |
| P63/mmc | R3m |
| P63/mmc | |
| a = 3.132(4) Å, c = 12.323(5) Å | a = 3.158(1) Å, c = 18.49(1) Å |
| a:c = 1 : 3.935 | a:c = 1 : 5.855 |
| V 104.69 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 159.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
| 2 | 3 |
| On synthetic material | On synthetic material |
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.13 Å | (100) |
| 1.528 Å | (70) |
| 2.674 Å | (60) |
| 1.571 Å | (50) |
| 2.037 Å | (40) |
| 1.100 Å | (40) |
| 3.04 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] |
Geological Setting:
Replacing scheelite and in high temperature fumaroles
Type Occurrence of Tungstenite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 94490.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Replacing limestone
Synonyms of Tungstenite
Other Language Names for Tungstenite
Relationship of Tungstenite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Molybdenite Group:
| Drysdallite | MoSe2 | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc |
| Molybdenite | MoS2 | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Tungstenite associated with Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
| 5 photos of Tungstenite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 5 photos of Tungstenite associated with Renierite | (Cu+,Zn)11Fe4(Ge4+,As5+)2S16 |
| 4 photos of Tungstenite associated with Tennantite-(Zn) | Cu6(Cu4Zn2)As4S12S |
| 4 photos of Tungstenite associated with Gallite | CuGaS2 |
| 4 photos of Tungstenite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 3 photos of Tungstenite associated with Kiddcreekite | Cu6SnWS8 |
| 2 photos of Tungstenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Tungstenite associated with Colusite | Cu13VAs3S16 |
| 2 photos of Tungstenite associated with Chalcocite | Cu2S |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.EA. | Radvaniceite | GeS2 |
| 2.EA. | Zavyalovite | Ag2TeS3 |
| 2.EA.05 | Sylvanite | AgAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.10 | Calaverite | AuTe2 |
| 2.EA.15 | Kostovite | CuAuTe4 |
| 2.EA.15 | Krennerite | Au3AgTe8 |
| 2.EA.20 | Melonite | NiTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Merenskyite | PdTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Ognitite | NiBiTe |
| 2.EA.20 | Shuangfengite | IrTe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Berndtite | SnS2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Sudovikovite | PtSe2 |
| 2.EA.20 | Kitkaite | NiTeSe |
| 2.EA.20 | Moncheite | Pt(Te,Bi)2 |
| 2.EA.25 | Verbeekite | PdSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Drysdallite | MoSe2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Jordisite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.30 | Molybdenite | MoS2 |
| 2.EA.40 | Pampaloite | AuSbTe |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tungstenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4051.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Tungstenite
Reference List:
Graeser, G. (1964) Über Funde der neuen rhomboedrischen MoS2-Modifikation (Molybdänit-3R) und von Tungstenit in den Alpen. Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, 44. 121-128 doi:10.5169/SEALS-34329
Gait, R.I., Mandarino, J.A. (1970) Polytypes of tungstenite. The Canadian Mineralogist: 10: 729-731.
Schutte, W.J., De Boer, J.L., Jellinek, F. (1987) Crystal structures of tungsten disulfide and diselenide. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 70. 207-209 doi:10.1016/0022-4596(87)90057-0
Krause, Matthias, Mücklich, Arndt, Zak, Alla, Seifert, Gotthard, Gemming, Sibylle (2011) High resolution TEM study of WS2 nanotubes. physica status solidi (b), 248 (11). 2716-2719 doi:10.1002/pssb.201100076
Localities for Tungstenite
Showing 41 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Höll et al. (1973) |
| Strasser (1989) | |
| Exel (1993) |
Brazil | |
| J. Jaszczak (Raman and SEM-EDS analysis) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Kidd Operations |
China | |
| caod.oriprobe.com (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Jianguo Huang et al. (2009) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pašava J et al. (2015) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Picot et al. (1982) |
Italy | |
| Graeser (1964) +1 other reference |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Issayeva et al. (2022) |
Namibia | |
| Gebhard (1999) |
| Weatherly International |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2020) |
Peru | |
| Imai et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| Galdos et al. (2024) |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu (2006) |
Russia | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Kulikov et al. (1989) |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2003) +1 other reference |
| Olga Yakovleva et al. (2009) | |
| maurice.strahlen.org (2004) +1 other reference |
| Kovalenker et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
| Eremin et al. (2023) |
Saudi Arabia | |
| Kamilli et al. (1993) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
Spain | |
| Canet et al. (2003) |
Sweden | |
| Bark (2005) |
Tajikistan | |
| [Tungstenite-2H] Паутов et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Ben Schumer Collection |
| Schairer (1931) |
| J. Zolan Collec. | |
| Barrick Gold Corporation |
| Dana 7:I:332. +5 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
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