Raw Stones
271 pieces
Tumbled Stones
202 pieces
Palm Stones
37 pieces
Crystal Points
38 pieces
Clusters & Geodes
63 pieces
Polished & Decor
125 pieces
Mineral Specimens
70 collector pieces
Crystal Chips
22 pieces
Browse everything
Every collection, one page.
View All Collections →
Aries
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Carnelian
›
Taurus
Apr 20 – May 20
Rose Quartz
›
Gemini
May 21 – Jun 20
Agate
›
Cancer
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Moonstone
›
Leo
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Citrine
›
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Amazonite
›
Libra
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Blue Lace Agate
›
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Obsidian
›
Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Sodalite
›
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Black Tourmaline
›
Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Amethyst
›
Pisces
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Aquamarine
›
Gifting?
A birthday stone is the safe bet.
Read the zodiac guide →
Ferberite
Ferberite is tungstates, FeWO4. In the hand, it rates 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs black and brownish black. Jet-black bladed crystals with one mirror-flat cleavage and astonishing weight, nearly half again heavier than galena-free rock of the same size. High-temperature quartz veins and greisens: Panasqueira (Portugal), Bolivia, China, Colorado (USA), Erzgebirge (Germany).
The geology.
Ferberite carries the formula FeWO4. It belongs to the monoclinic system. It is classified as tungstates.
It sits at 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads submetallic to metallic. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 7.4 to 7.5. The streak is brown-black. It breaks with perfect one-direction cleavage; uneven fracture.
Jet-black bladed crystals with one mirror-flat cleavage and astonishing weight, nearly half again heavier than galena-free rock of the same size.
You will most often meet it as bladed crystals, tabular groups or heavy massive chunks.
The origins.
High-temperature quartz veins and greisens: Panasqueira (Portugal), Bolivia, China, Colorado (USA), Erzgebirge (Germany).
On value, the database notes: affordable in ore form; sharp Panasqueira blades are respected collector pieces.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with grounding scattered energy fast and reinforcing resolve.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Jet-black bladed crystals with one mirror-flat cleavage and astonishing weight, nearly half again heavier than galena-free rock of the same size.
Not faked; the weight is essentially impossible to imitate convincingly.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Black tourmaline | Tourmaline is far lighter (SG 3.1), harder, with triangular cross-sections and no cleavage |
| Cassiterite | Cassiterite streaks white-gray and is harder (6 to 7); ferberite streak is brown-black |
| Hematite | Hematite streaks cherry red; ferberite streaks brown-black |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at ferberite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By weight | Extreme heft (SG about 7.5) is the giveaway |
| By eye | Brown-black streak |
| By eye | Single perfect cleavage flashing like a mirror |
Stop short of anything that leaves a mark. A gemologist can answer the rest without damaging the stone.
Care & handling.
At 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with perfect one-direction cleavage; uneven fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Skip the ultrasonic. Lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth handle routine cleaning without risk.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is FeWO4. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 7.4 to 7.5. Streak: Brown-black. Cleavage and fracture: Perfect one-direction cleavage; uneven fracture.
How it reaches the market
High-temperature quartz veins and greisens: Panasqueira (Portugal), Bolivia, China, Colorado (USA), Erzgebirge (Germany).
What it gets confused with
Black tourmaline: Tourmaline is far lighter (SG 3.1), harder, with triangular cross-sections and no cleavage. Cassiterite: Cassiterite streaks white-gray and is harder (6 to 7); ferberite streak is brown-black. Hematite: Hematite streaks cherry red; ferberite streaks brown-black.
What it is worth
Affordable in ore form; sharp Panasqueira blades are respected collector pieces.
Where buyers get caught
Not faked; the weight is essentially impossible to imitate convincingly.
One more thing
Ferberite is an ore of tungsten, the metal in light-bulb filaments and rocket nozzles; wolframite gave tungsten its chemical symbol W.
An education-first guide.
We do not carry ferberite. This page exists because the question comes up and the honest answer is worth writing down, whether or not there is anything here to sell you.
Explore the Crystal Guide