H & L Minerals

Wolframite

Chemical Composition: Wolframite is a tungsten mineral with the chemical formula (Fe, Mn)WO4. It is typically composed of iron and manganese tungstates.

Appearance: Wolframite appears as dark, opaque, and lustrous metallic black or brownish-black crystals. Occurrence: It is a common ore of tungsten and is found in various geological environments, including granitic and metamorphic rocks.

Uses: Wolframite is a valuable source of tungsten, a dense and heat-resistant metal used in the aerospace, automotive, and electrical industries. It is essential for making filaments in light bulbs, as well as in the production of electrical wires, electronic components, and armor-piercing ammunition.

Scheelite:

Chemical Composition: Scheelite is a calcium tungstate mineral with the chemical formula CaWO4. It contains calcium, tungsten, and oxygen.

Appearance: Scheelite is typically found in the form of white to brownish crystals, and it may sometimes appear with a yellow, brown, or orange tint.

Occurrence: Scheelite is commonly found in hydrothermal veins associated with granitic rocks and is often found alongside other tungsten minerals like wolframite.

Uses: Scheelite is another valuable source of tungsten, much like wolframite. Tungsten, extracted from scheelite, is used in various applications due to its high melting point and density. It is used in the production of filaments for incandescent light bulbs, as well as in aerospace and defense applications, particularly for making high-performance alloys, electrical contacts, and materials for radiation shielding.

Scheelite, like wolframite, is a crucial source of tungsten, which is an essential material in many industries due to its unique physical properties and applications.

Spodumene:

Chemical Composition: Spodumene is a lithium aluminum inosilicate mineral with the chemical formula LiAl(SiO3)2. It is one of the primary sources of lithium.

Appearance: Crystals of spodumene are usually elongated and prismatic, with colors ranging from colorless to green, pink, or violet.

Occurrence: Spodumene is commonly found in lithium-rich pegmatite deposits and is associated with other lithium minerals such as lepidolite and amblygonite.

Uses: Spodumene is a crucial source of lithium, which is used in rechargeable batteries for devices like cell phones and electric vehicles. It's also used in ceramics and glass manufacturing.

Lepidolite::

Chemical Composition: Lepidolite is a lithium-rich mica mineral with the chemical formula K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2. It is known for its lilac or pinkish color due to the presence of lithium.

Appearance: Lepidolite often occurs in flake-like or scaly formations and is typically lilac, pink, or violet in color.

Occurrence: Lepidolite is commonly found in lithium-rich pegmatite deposits alongside other lithium minerals like spodumene. It is also associated with minerals such as quartz and feldspar.

Uses: Lepidolite is a secondary source of lithium, and while it's less commonly used for lithium extraction than spodumene, it is still valuable. It is also used in the production of ceramics, as a gemstone, and occasionally for its mica properties in the manufacture of electrical insulators and heat-resistant materials.