[5] Associated minerals include cassiterite, scheelite, bismuth, quartz, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite.

[6] Other producers are Spain, Canada, Portugal, Russia, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, Rwanda, Bolivia, the United States, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In the more common granitic deposits, wolframite minerals can be found in both greisen and veins as its formation is tied to these two structures.

The etymology is not entirely certain but seems to be a reference to the large amounts of tin consumed by the mineral during its extraction, the phenomenon being likened to a wolf eating a sheep.

During World War II, wolframite mines were a strategic asset, due to its use in munitions and tools.

[13] Tungsten salts were used in the 19th century to dye cotton and to make stage costumes which were fire retardant.

One such catalytic use of tungsten is as a hydrocracking catalyst which is used to improve the yield of organic components such as gasoline in hydrocarbon refinement as well as reducing harmful pollution and by products.