Hübnerite

Hübnerit is a relatively rare occurring mineral from the mineral class of " oxides and hydroxides ". It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the chemical composition of Mn2 and WO4 developed primarily short prismatic to tabular crystals, but also granular to massive aggregates of yellow-brown, red-brown or brown-black, shiny metallic color.

Hübnerit is one of the end members of the wolframite mixed batch, the other end member is the Ferberite.

Etymology and history

The mineral was named after Adolph Huebner, a German mining engineer and metallurgist. It was first found and described in 1865.

Classification

In the now outdated but still in use 8th edition of the mineral classification by Strunz the Hübnerit belonged to the department of " oxides with the molar ratio of metal: oxygen = 1: 2 ( MO2 and related compounds ) ," where he along with Ferberite, Sanmartinit and the now discredited Wolframo - Ixiolit the " wolframite series" with the system no. IV/D.16 formed.

The 9th edition valid since 2001 and of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA ) used the Strunz'schen Mineral classification assigns the Hübnerit also in the department of " oxides with the molar ratio of metal: oxygen = 1: 2 and comparable " one. However, this is further divided according to the relative size of the involved cations and the crystal structure, so that the mineral according to its composition and its construction in the subdivision: is to find "With medium-sized cations chains of edge-sharing octahedra ", where it, along with Heftetjernit, Ferberite Krasnoselskit, Magnesiowolframit and Sanmartinit the " wolframite group " with the system no. 4.DB.30 forms.

The mostly commonly used in English-speaking classification of minerals according to Dana assigns the Hübnerit unlike the Strunz'schen systematics in the class of " phosphates, arsenates, vanadates, " and then in the Department of " molybdates and tungstates " one. Here he is with wolframite, Ferberite, Sanmartinit and Heftetjernit in the " wolframite series" with the system no. 48.01.01 within the sub-division of " water clear with molybdates and tungstates A XO4 " to find.

Education and Locations

Hübnerit forms as well as Ferberite either by hydrothermal processes in the aged or in skarns or in igneous rocks such as pegmatites and granites. Accompanying minerals are arsenopyrite, fluorite, cassiterite, molybdenite, Rhodochrosite, scheelite, topaz and various tourmalines.

Locations include Tamanrasset in Algeria; Catamarca in Argentina; New South Wales and Tasmania in Australia; Departamento La Paz, Departamento Oruro and Potosí Department in Bolivia; Brazil; Coquimbo in Chile; Hunan in the People's Republic of China; Baden- Württemberg, Lower Saxony and Saxony- Anhalt in Germany; different regions in France; Piedmont, Sardinia and Tuscany in Italy; Honshu in Japan; British Columbia, Canada; Maniema in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Antananarivo in Madagascar; Chihuahua and Durango in Mexico; Salzburg in Austria; Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic; as well as Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, California and other states in the U.S..

Crystal structure

Hübnerit crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, space group P2 / c with lattice parameters a = 4.86 Å, b = 5.78 Å and c = 5.02 Å; β = 90.816 °, and two formula units per unit cell.

Use

Hübnerit is an important tungsten ore.