Scheelite
| Colour | White, Orange, Yellow |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 4.5–5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to adamantine |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque |
| Cleavage | On {101}, distinct; on {112}, interrupted; on {001}, indistinct |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | CaWO 4 |
| Specific gravity | 5.9–6.1 |
What is Scheelite?
Scheelite is a calcium tungstate mineral with the chemical formula CaWO4. It is an important ore of tungsten (wolfram). Scheelite is originally named after Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742–1786). Well-formed crystals are sought by collectors and are occasionally fashioned into gemstones when suitably free of flaws. Scheelite has been synthesized using the Czochralski process; the material produced may be used to imitate diamond, as a scintillator, or as a solid-state lasing medium. It was also used in radium paint in the same fashion as was zinc sulphide, and Thomas Edison invented a
How to identify Scheelite
- Lustre: Vitreous to adamantine.
- Hardness: Mohs 4.5–5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Tetragonal crystal system.
Scheelite in different forms
Stones often confused with Scheelite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Scheelite?
Scheelite is Mohs 4.5–5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Scheelite?
Scheelite is typically white, orange, yellow (Colorless, white, gray, dark brown, brown, tan, pale yellow, yellow-orange, golden yellow, pale shades of orange, red, g).