Ferberite pseudomorph after Scheelite (rare)

Item Description

Ferberite pseudomorphs after sharp tetragonal, pyramidal-looking Scheelite crystals are rare from this obscure and unusual, Al-rich phosphate pegmatite in Rwanda. The piece is very good condition all around, with only a few minor imperfections on the back. This piece represents a snapshot in time of a pseudomorph process where iron tungstate is replacing calcium tungstate. This locality is part of a large tungsten province that straddles the triple junction of the Rwanda-Uganda-Congo borders. Much of the tungsten mining in the Rwanda portion is very labor intensive with little mechanized mining. Choice material, probably mined in the 1950s or 1960s. The piece comes with a label from Stretch Young minerals.