Ferberita
Ferberita is a mineral with formula FeWO₄, in the Wolframatos group. This specimen comes from Panasqueira, Aldeia de S. Francisco, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal.
Description
Representative lustrous black specimen with clearly striated faces.
About Ferberita
Ferberite is a wolframite, specifically the iron-rich end-member (FeWO₄) of a series extending to manganese-rich hübnerite (MnWO₄). It is the principal ore of wolfram, a name derived from «wolf froth», as Saxon smelters claimed it devoured tin much like a wolf devours sheep. The Elhuyar brothers first isolated the element in 1783, giving it the chemical symbol W, though the name tungsten, from the Swedish for «heavy stone», prevailed in English. Its exceptional heat resistance and highest melting point of any metal turned it into a key strategic material during the 20th century. Throughout World War II, it proved vital for both sides, particularly for German armor plating and armor-piercing munitions.
About the locality
Panasqueira is a classic European locality for wolframite and associated hydrothermal-vein minerals.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0671
- Composition
- FeWO₄
- Name
- Ferberita
- Group
- Wolframatos
- Associations
- siderita
- Mine
- Panasqueira
- District / Municipality
- Aldeia de S. Francisco
- Province
- Covilhã
- Region
- Castelo Branco
- Country
- Portugal
- Size (cm)
- 5.5 x 3.5 x 1.5
- Weight
- 73.9 g
- Etymology
- The mineral commemorates Moritz Rudolph Ferber in its name.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Pirolusita — Portugal
- Autunita — Portugal
- Libethenita — Portugal
- Autunita (Verde) — Portugal
- Autunita — Portugal
- Autunita — Portugal
- Furcalita — Portugal
- Meta-autunita (Primaria) — Portugal