Wolframite
“The heavyweight tungsten ore”
Mineral
Wolframite is an iron-manganese tungstate mineral and one of the two most important ores of tungsten — the metal with the highest melting point of any element. Its name gave tungsten its chemical symbol 'W', and it has been pivotal in manufacturing armor-piercing ammunition and cutting tools.
Composition
iron manganese tungstate ((Fe,Mn)WO₄)
Where Found
Panasqueira (Portugal), Cornwall (England), Jiangxi (China), Bolivia, Rwanda, Myanmar
Mohs Hardness
4-4.5
Fun Fact
China produces about 80% of the world's tungsten, mostly from wolframite — making this mineral a critical strategic resource that has caused international supply chain concerns.
Test Your Knowledge
Why does tungsten, extracted from wolframite, have the highest melting point of any metal?
Photo Attribution
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