Characteristics of Scheelite

Characteristics of Scheelite:

Chemical Name: Calcium tungstate

Formula: CaWO4

Colors: Yellow, white, pale green, orange

Structure: Tetragonal

Hardness: 4-4.5

Specific Gravity: 5.9-6.3

Refractive Index: 1.92-1.94

Lustre: Vitreous to greasy

Streak: White

Locations: Austria, Italy, Brazil, Rwanda, USA, UK, China

 

What is Scheelite? 

Crystals of Scheelite can be opaque or transparent. The later are sometimes cut as gemstones for collectors, and these exhibit almost as much dispersion (fire) as diamond. For this reason, synthetic colorless Scheelite is sometimes used as diamond simulant, although it is too soft to wear well. Synthetic Scheelite is also colored by trace elements to simulate other gemstones. Opaque crystals can grow very large – some weighing up to 7kg (15lb) come from Arizona USA. Most Scheelite crystals fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
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