Tantalite
Manganotantalite
Brazil
6.41 carats
© Rarestone.com
The closely-related minerals columbite and tapiolite are often confused for tantalite.
See also the related gemstone stibiotantalite.
Tantalite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Tantalite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Tantalite 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:0.74 cts
Heaviest:8.35 cts
Average:4.77 cts
Total photos:5
Do you have a larger Tantalite? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varieties/Types: | Manganotantalite - A manganese-rich variety of Tantalite. | |||||||||
| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Tantalite | ||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 6 to 6.5, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 5.18 to 8.20, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Distinct, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Fracture | Sub-Conchoidal, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Optical Properties of Tantalite | ||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 2.190 to 2.457, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.083, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Pleochroism | Sometimes strong, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Dispersion | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Colour | ||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Red-brown, brown, black, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||
| Transparency | Transparent, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||
| Lustre | Submetallic, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Crystallography of Tantalite | ||||||||||
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | |||||||||
| Habit | Prismatic, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Geological Environment | ||||||||||
| Where found: | Commonly occurs in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites., Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||
| Further Information | ||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Tantalite information at mindat.org | |||||||||