Billwiseite
A variety of Minerals
What is Billwiseite?
Billwiseite is a very rare oxide mineral found at the pegmatite commonly referred to as "Stak Nala" located within a few hundred yards from the village of Toghla in the Stak Nala, Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan. It has only been found as a coating on a single crystal of lepidolite. The sole rock containing Billwiseite is kept at the Royal Ontario Museum, catalogue number M5595. It contains four relatively uncommon elements: antimony, niobium, tantalum, and tungsten. It is named after William Wise, a mineralogist from the University of California, Santa Barbara. It was discovered by an international group of geologists, and accepted by the IMA in 2010. Its discovery was announced in Mineralogical Magazine in 2011, and was described in detail in 2012 in The Canadian Mineralogist by Hawthrone et al.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Billwiseite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Billwiseite Localities Map
See where Billwiseite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Pale yellow (with a tinge of green),
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5
- Density
- 6.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- Colorless to very pale-yellow
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Sb3+5Nb3WO18
- Elements
- Nb, O, Sb, W
Identify Billwiseite Instantly
- Snap a photo, get instant results
- 6,700+ rocks, minerals & crystals
- Discover collecting spots near you
Billwiseite FAQs
How do I identify Billwiseite?
Billwiseite can be identified by its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, Pale yellow (with a tinge of green) color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Billwiseite?
Billwiseite typically appears in Pale yellow (with a tinge of green),. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Billwiseite?
Billwiseite has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
%252FAbenakiite-(ce)-01.jpg&size=small)
