WITTICHENITE
WITTICHENITE Wititchenite – Cu3BiS3 – is a rarer sulfide, occurring in hydrothermal veins rich in Cu + Bi. It contains 38.45% Cu, 42.15% Bi, and 19.40% S. It commonly contains Ag, and there is a variety with a significant Ag content. It is the BiS analog of bytizite. 1. Characteristics Crystal system: Orthorhombic bisphenoidal […]
WURTZITE
WURTZITE Wurtzite – (Zn,Fe)S – is a rarer sulfide, typical of hydrothermal veins, where it integrates polymetallic ores with zinc. It is classified in the Wurtzite Group, is dimorphic with sphalerite, forms a series with buseckite ((Fe,Zn,Mn)S) and has three varieties. 1. Characteristics Crystal system: Hexagonal, dihexagonal pyramidal Color: Reddish-brown, […]
WÜSTITE
WÜSTITE Wüstite is a fairly rare oxide, found in meteorites and in some terrestrial geological situations. It has no economic importance. It is classified in the Periclase Group and has strong magnetism. 1. Characteristics Crystal system: Cubic, hexaeoctahedral. Color: Black or brown. Habit: Crusts, intergranular fillings, massive formations, microspherulites, […]
WOLFRAMITE
WOLFRAMITE Wolframite – (Fe,Mn)WO4 – is a relatively common oxide and constitutes the most important tungsten ore as it contains >75% WO3. The other important ore of tungsten is scheelite. Tungsten is a strategic metal. Wolframite is actually not a mineral, but a term that refers to intermediate compositions between the minerals ferberite (FeWO4) and […]
WAD
WAD Wad is not a mineral, but an ancient mining term used for Mn ores. There are at least 20 more English synonyms and 15 German synonyms for wad. Wad is a common and important ore of Mn and in some cases contains other elements such as Co. The term is very useful to name […]