Hübnerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Hübnerite
Formula:
MnWO4
Colour:
Yellow-brown, reddish-brown, blackish brown, black, red (rare)
Lustre:
Adamantine, Resinous, Metallic
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
7.12 - 7.18
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1865 by Eugene N. Riotte (native of Elberfeld, Germany) for Friedrich Adolph Hübner [May 17, 1830?, Koenigsberg, East Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia) -?], German mining engineer and metallurgist from Freiberg, Saxony. (Original notice did not have an umlaut as it was in an English language newspaper.)
Ferberite-Hübnerite series
Occurs in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and pneumatolytically altered granites yielding greisen; in granite pegmatites; in alluvial and eluvial deposits.
Note: This species is misclassified in Dana 8th. There are no WO4 tetrahedra in it. It should be in Class 4, Simple Oxides.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Hübnerite.
Occurs in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and pneumatolytically altered granites yielding greisen; in granite pegmatites; in alluvial and eluvial deposits.
Note: This species is misclassified in Dana 8th. There are no WO4 tetrahedra in it. It should be in Class 4, Simple Oxides.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Hübnerite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1940
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1940:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1d40a3b2-1aed-4b6b-81fe-0344a02413d0
IMA Classification of Hübnerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+(WO4)
Classification of Hübnerite
4.DB.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
48.1.1.1
48 : ANHYDROUS MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
1 : AXO4
48 : ANHYDROUS MOLYBDATES AND TUNGSTATES
1 : AXO4
27.4.13
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
4 : Tungstates
27 : Sulphites, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
4 : Tungstates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hbr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Hbn | 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 Hübnerite
Adamantine, Resinous, Metallic
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-brown, reddish-brown, blackish brown, black, red (rare)
Streak:
Greenish-grey, yellow to reddish-brown
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Comment:
Directional
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
Perfect on {010}
Parting:
On {100} and {102}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
7.12 - 7.18 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.234 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Hübnerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.170 - 2.200 nβ = 2.220 nγ = 2.300 - 2.320
2V:
Measured: 73° , Calculated: 73°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.130
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Anisotropism:
Distinct
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Orientation: X = b; Z ∧ c = 17°–21°.
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 | R2 |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 17.1% | 19.8% |
| 420nm | 16.3% | 19.3% |
| 440nm | 15.5% | 18.8% |
| 460nm | 15.1% | 18.3% |
| 480nm | 14.6% | 17.5% |
| 500nm | 14.4% | 17.2% |
| 520nm | 14.2% | 17.0% |
| 540nm | 13.9% | 16.7% |
| 560nm | 13.8% | 16.5% |
| 580nm | 13.7% | 16.3% |
| 600nm | 13.6% | 16.2% |
| 620nm | 13.5% | 16.1% |
| 640nm | 13.5% | 16.0% |
| 660nm | 13.4% | 15.9% |
| 680nm | 13.4% | 15.8% |
| 700nm | 13.3% | 15.7% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Top of box is 100%. Peak reflectance is 19.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White to gray
Internal Reflections:
Deep blood red
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Yellow to green, orange-red
Y = Yellowish brown to greenish yellow, red-orange to red
Z = Green, brick red to red
Y = Yellowish brown to greenish yellow, red-orange to red
Z = Green, brick red to red
Comments:
Absorption: Z > Y > X.
Chemistry of Hübnerite
Mindat Formula:
MnWO4
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| MoO3 | 0.15 % |
| WO3 | 75.60 % |
| FeO | 1.80 % |
| MnO | 21.35 % |
| ZnO | 0.04 % |
| MgO | 0.01 % |
| Total: | 98.95 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Mn2+0.92Fe2+0.08)[W1.00O4] |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nippyo mine, Awano, Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan | single small grain |
Crystallography of Hübnerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.8238(7) Å, b = 5.7504(10) Å, c = 4.9901(8) Å
β = 91.18(1)°
β = 91.18(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.839 : 1 : 0.868
Unit Cell V:
138.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals commonly prismatic and striated [001]; also tabular, to bladed, flatened {100} and exhibit numerous forms, including {010}, {110}, {100}, {310}, {112}, {001}, {102} and {011}. Radiating groups or in parallel configuration.
Twinning:
Common as simple contact twins on {100}, rarely on {001}; as interpenetrant twins, lamellar.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.996 Å | (100) |
| 2.954 Å | (95) |
| 4.84 Å | (65) |
| 3.78 Å | (60) |
| 3.70 Å | (55) |
| 2.497 Å | (55) |
| 2.880 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Synthetic.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
High-temperature hydrothermal veins and pneumatolytically altered greisens; granite pegmatites and sedimentary alluvial deposits.
Type Occurrence of Hübnerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Hübnerite
Other Language Names for Hübnerite
Relationship of Hübnerite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Dmitryvarlamovite | Ti2(Fe3+Nb)O8 | Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 2 |
| Ferberite | FeWO4 | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Heftetjernite | ScTaO4 | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Huanzalaite | MgWO4 | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Krasnoselskite | CoWO4 | Mon. |
| Nioboheftetjernite | ScNbO4 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Rossovskyite | (Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ti)O4 | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Sanmartinite | (Zn,Fe)WO4 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 877 photos of Hübnerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 134 photos of Hübnerite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 76 photos of Hübnerite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 57 photos of Hübnerite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 42 photos of Hübnerite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 36 photos of Hübnerite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 35 photos of Hübnerite associated with Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
| 26 photos of Hübnerite associated with Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
| 26 photos of Hübnerite associated with Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
| 24 photos of Hübnerite associated with Gold | Au |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DB. | Nioboheftetjernite | ScNbO4 |
| 4.DB. | Shakhdaraite-(Y) | ScYNb2O8 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Nb0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-([]) | (Nb0.8◻0.2)4+O2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Argutite | GeO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Plattnerite | PbO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Rutile | TiO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tripuhyite | Fe3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tugarinovite | MoO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Varlamoffite | (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.10 | Byströmite | MgSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Ordoñezite | ZnSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tredouxite | NiSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.15b | Akhtenskite | ε-Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15c | Nsutite | (Mn4+,Mn2+)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Paramontroseite | V4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Ramsdellite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Scrutinyite | α-PbO2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ishikawaite | U4+Fe2+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Y) | YFe3+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Srilankite | ZrTi2O6 |
| 4.DB.25 | Yttrocolumbite-(Y) | Y(U4+,Fe2+)Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Calciosamarskite | (Ca,U4+)Fe3+(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Yb) | YbFe3+(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.30 | Ferberite | FeWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Sanmartinite | (Zn,Fe)WO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Krasnoselskite | CoWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Heftetjernite | ScTaO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Huanzalaite | MgWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 va | Wolframite Group | |
| 4.DB.30 | Rossovskyite | (Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ti)O4 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalaeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiTa)O6 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrowodginite | Fe2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiotantite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiowodginite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Titanowodginite | Mn2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wodginite | Mn2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrotitanowodginite | Fe2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Tantalowodginite | (Mn2+0.5◻0.5)TaTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wolframowodginite | Mn(Mn,Sn,Fe,Ta)(W,Ta,Nb)2O8 |
| 4.DB.45 | Tivanite | V3+TiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB.50 | Carmichaelite | (Ti,Cr,Fe)[O2-x(OH)x] |
| 4.DB.55 | Alumotantite | AlTaO4 |
| 4.DB.60 | Biehlite | ((Sb,As)O)2[MoO4] |
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.
Industrial Uses:
Tungsten ore.
Internet Links for Hübnerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1940.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Hübnerite
Localities for Hübnerite
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.
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Mundo Nuevo Mine, Mundo Nuevo, Huamachuco, Sánchez Carrión Province, La Libertad, Peru