Scheelite

Scheelite is a popular mineral composed of calcium tungstate. ^[1]

Scheelite: Quick Facts and Characteristics

Some quick facts for Scheelite:

• Transparency: Scheelite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
• Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, scheelite is tetragonal.
• Luster: In terms of luster, scheelite can be adamantine, greasy or vitreous (glassy).
• Streak: Scheelite streaks light yellow, white or yellow.
• Hardness: Scheelite's hardness ranges from 4.5 to 5 on the Moh's scale.
• Specific Gravity: Scheelite's specific gravity ranges from 5.9 to 6.3.

Scheelite: Background and Summary

Scheelite is a calcium tungstate mineral with the chemical formula CaWO4. It is a white to greyish-white mineral with a vitreous to adamantine luster. It has a high specific gravity of 5.9-6.1, making it one of the heaviest non-metallic minerals. Scheelite has a distinctive tetragonal crystal structure, with its crystals often appearing as elongated prisms or flat tabular shapes. It is commonly found in hydrothermal veins, skarns, and greisen deposits associated with granitic intrusions.

One of the most notable uses of scheelite is as an ore of tungsten, a rare metal with a high melting point and exceptional strength. Tungsten is a vital component in the production of many high-performance alloys, including those used in the aerospace and defense industries. Scheelite is also used in the production of fluorescent lamps, as it is an excellent source of blue light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Other uses of scheelite include its use as a gemstone, as it can exhibit a vivid blue fluorescence under UV light.

To identify scheelite, one can look for its distinctive tetragonal crystal structure, as well as its high specific gravity. It can also be identified by its white to greyish-white color and vitreous to adamantine luster. Scheelite can be distinguished from other minerals by its fluorescence under UV light, which produces a bright blue glow.