Scheelite

Big Photo

China
17.85 carats
© Rarestone.com

Scheelite was named after Swedish chemist K.W. Scheele, who discovered tungsten.

Well-formed crystals are fashioned into gemstones. They have high lustre and appreciable "fire", approaching that of Diamond. Gems cut from transparent material are fragile.

A magnificent gem weighing 58 carats was faceted from transparent orange material found in the Gamsberg area in Namibia.

Scheelite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 

Scheelite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Scheelite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:1.83 cts
Heaviest:52.13 cts
Average:12.30 cts
Total photos:21
Do you have a larger Scheelite? Why not upload a photo?
Significant stones
Turmalina Scheelite267 cts
1.83ct to 6.86ct6.86ct to 11.89ct11.89ct to 16.92ct16.92ct to 21.95ct21.95ct to 26.98ct26.98ct to 32.01ct32.01ct to 37.04ct37.04ct to 42.07ct42.07ct to 47.10ct47.10ct to 52.13ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
CaWO
 
4
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Significant stones
ImageNameWeightCountry of OriginCurrent Owner
Turmalina Scheelite266.68 ctsPeru
Synthetic Scheelite
Synthetic scheelite - Colours: red, red-brown, yellow-brown, yellow, green, violet, colourless; Transparent; Hardness 4.5 - 5; Cleavage - distinct; RI 1.918 - 1.934; Birefringence 0.016; Uniaxial/+; SG 5.90 - 6.10; Fluorescence: LW red to orange-red; SW pink, blue or bluish-white - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, 2004, p 29
Physical Properties of Scheelite
Mohs Hardness4.5 to 5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity5.9 to 6.3
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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TenacityBrittle
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cleavage QualityGood
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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FractureConchoidal,Splintery
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Optical Properties of Scheelite
Refractive Index1.918 to 1.936
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.010 to 0.018
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismVariable
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Dispersion0.038
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Colour
Colour (General)Colourless, yellow, yellowish-white, gray, orange, brown
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourYellow, Fe
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTransparent
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreAdamantine
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Strong; light blue
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Fluorescence (Short Wave UV)Strong light to medium blue (also yellow. Synthetic: pink to (chalky)-blue
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Fluorescence (Long-Wave UV)Inert. Synthetic: strong (orangy)-red
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Scheelite
Crystal SystemTetragonal
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitPseudooctahedral crystals
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Scheelite occurs in contact metamorphic deposits, hydrothermal veins or pegmatites.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Further Information
Mineral information:Scheelite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
    • Yamethin District
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Peru
 
  • Piura
    • Huancabamba Province
      • Canchaque
South Korea
 
  • North Chungcheong Province
    • Chungju City
      • Angseong-myeon
        • Neungam-ri (Neung Am-ri; Noungam-ri)
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 447
Sri Lanka
 
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
No reference listed
Sweden
 
  • Dalarna County
    • Säter
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 447
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