Tantalite-(Fe)
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Tantalite-(Fe)
Formula:
Fe2+Ta2O6
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Greasy, Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
6 - 6½
Specific Gravity:
6.65 - 7.95
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From ferrous iron content and the Greek mythological Tantalus, for the difficulty of dissolving the mineral. The original material with Fe>Mn was called Tantalite, subsequent name changes recognized the compositional variability of the series.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Tantalite-(Fe)-Tantalite-(Mn) Series and Columbite-(Fe)-Tantalite-(Fe) Series.
Tantalite-(Fe) is fairly rare and many specimens are actually misidentified Tapiolite-(Fe).
Formerly known as ferrotantalite.
Tantalite-(Fe) is fairly rare and many specimens are actually misidentified Tapiolite-(Fe).
Formerly known as ferrotantalite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1530
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1530:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a7ed56a0-0daa-4cfc-89b9-d83cade97813
IMA Classification of Tantalite-(Fe)
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
First published:
2008
Approval history:
Renamed by IMA 2007 by special procedure.
Classification of Tantalite-(Fe)
4.DB.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
8.3.2.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
18.1.43
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ttl-Fe | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Tnt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Tantalite-(Fe)
Sub-Adamantine, Greasy, Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Comment:
Reddish brown in transmitted light.
Streak:
Black, dark reddish-brown.
Hardness:
6 - 6½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {100}, less distinct on {010}
Distinct on {100}, less distinct on {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
6.65 - 7.95 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Density similar to tapiolite series.
Optical Data of Tantalite-(Fe)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.260 nβ = 2.300 - 2.400 nγ = 2.430
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.170
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
Relatively strong, r < v.
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = a; Z = c.
Colour in reflected light:
Grey
Internal Reflections:
Red to reddish brown.
Comments:
Absorption: Strong. Z > X.
Chemistry of Tantalite-(Fe)
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Ta2O6
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Tantalite-(Fe)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.73 Å, b = 14.24 Å, c = 5.08 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.402 : 1 : 0.357
Unit Cell V:
414.50 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Exsolution intergrowths with ferrotapiolite.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
As a very accessory mineral in granitic pegmatites. Most tantalites with this composition are actually tapiolite structure.
Type Occurrence of Tantalite-(Fe)
Synonyms of Tantalite-(Fe)
Other Language Names for Tantalite-(Fe)
German:Ferrotantalit
Tantalit-(Fe)
Tantalit-(Fe)
Simplified Chinese:éœéçż
Spanish:Ferrotantalita
Traditional Chinese:éé”瀊
Relationship of Tantalite-(Fe) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 | Orth. |
| Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 9 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 6 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 6 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Stibiotantalite | Sb(Ta,Nb)O4 |
| 4 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Cookeite | (LiAl4â»)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 3 photos of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 1 photo of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 1 photo of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 1 photo of Tantalite-(Fe) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DB. | Nioboheftetjernite | ScNbO4 |
| 4.DB. | Shakhdaraite-(Y) | ScYNb2O8 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Nb0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-([]) | (Nb0.8â»0.2)4+O2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Argutite | GeO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Plattnerite | PbO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Rutile | TiO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tripuhyite | Fe3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tugarinovite | MoO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Varlamoffite | (Sn,Fe)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.10 | Byströmite | MgSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Ordoñezite | ZnSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tredouxite | NiSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.15b | Akhtenskite | Δ-Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15c | Nsutite | (Mn4+,Mn2+)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Paramontroseite | V4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Ramsdellite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Scrutinyite | α-PbO2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ishikawaite | U4+Fe2+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Y) | YFe3+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Srilankite | ZrTi2O6 |
| 4.DB.25 | Yttrocolumbite-(Y) | Y(U4+,Fe2+)Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Calciosamarskite | (Ca,U4+)Fe3+(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Yb) | YbFe3+(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.30 | Ferberite | FeWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | HĂŒbnerite | MnWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Sanmartinite | (Zn,Fe)WO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Krasnoselskite | CoWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Heftetjernite | ScTaO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Huanzalaite | MgWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 va | Wolframite Group | |
| 4.DB.30 | Rossovskyite | (Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ti)O4 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalaeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiTa)O6 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrowodginite | Fe2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiotantite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiowodginite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Titanowodginite | Mn2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wodginite | Mn2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrotitanowodginite | Fe2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Tantalowodginite | (Mn2+0.5â»0.5)TaTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wolframowodginite | Mn(Mn,Sn,Fe,Ta)(W,Ta,Nb)2O8 |
| 4.DB.45 | Tivanite | V3+TiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB.50 | Carmichaelite | (Ti,Cr,Fe)[O2-x(OH)x] |
| 4.DB.55 | Alumotantite | AlTaO4 |
| 4.DB.60 | Biehlite | ((Sb,As)O)2[MoO4] |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe, not altered.
Notes:
Not affected by acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tantalite-(Fe)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1530.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Tantalite-(Fe)
Localities for Tantalite-(Fe)
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Galliski et al. (2011) |
| Galliski et al. (2015) |
Australia | |
| Costas Constantinides collection |
| PA Wulser - unpublished data |
| minedex |
| Marshall et al. (2016) |
| Marshall et al. (2016) | |
| minedex |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) |
| minedex |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) |
| Pegmatites of Western Australia +1 other reference |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) | |
Austria | |
| Walter (1998) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Brazil | |
| Richard Dale Collection |
| Collection of Michael G. Shaw |
| Josef Vajdak (Peque Rare Minerals) |
| Dias et al. (2015) |
| Beurlen et al. (2008) |
| Beurlen et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| Anderson et al. (2013) |
| P.B. Tomascak et al. (1994) |
| Breaks |
| ontariominerals.com +2 other references |
| Canadian Mineralogist 36 +1 other reference | |
China | |
| Can Rao et al. (2009) |
| Xiaojun Yuan et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Weizheng Hu et al. (2005) |
| Zhu et al. (2024) |
| Sun et al. (2023) |
| Chenghua Zhang and Guodong Ji (1983) |
| Dong Peng et al. (2005) |
| Feng et al. (2019) |
| Feng et al. (2019) | |
| Denghong Wang et al. (2003) |
Czech Republic | |
| NovĂĄk (2003) |
| NovĂĄk |
| PavlĂÄek V. et al.: Pegmatit ... |
DR Congo | |
| Frank Melcher et al. (2015) |
| |
| Melcher et al. (2015) |
Finland | |
| Huber et al. (2023) |
| Tuisku |
| Lahti (2000) |
| Lahti (2000) | |
| Lahti (2000) | |
| Lahti (2000) | |
| |
| Niskanen (2014) |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
France | |
| François Périnet collection |
Germany | |
| OberthĂŒr et al. (2016) |
| Witzke et al. (2008) |
Hungary | |
| GĂĄl P. (2014) |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
| Vignola et al. (2011) | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Ivory Coast | |
| Allou et al. (2005) |
| Allou (2006) | |
| Assaoulé Benjamin Allou (2005) +1 other reference | |
Japan | |
| ... |
| Matsubara et al. (2006) |
Madagascar | |
Mozambique | |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
Myanmar | |
| Hong Wang et al. (2013) |
Namibia | |
| Cairncross et al. (2006) |
| Cairncross et al. (2006) |
| Cairncross et al. (2006) | |
| Cairncross et al. (2006) |
| Cairncross et al. (2006) |
Nigeria | |
| Rotimi et al. (2012) |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) +1 other reference |
| BjĂžrlykke (1934) +1 other reference |
| Raade et al. (2000) |
| Selbekk et al. (2008) |
Poland | |
| PIECZKA et al. 2010: Nb-Ta minerals in ... |
| Pieczka et al. (2012) | |
Portugal | |
| Dias et al. (2009) |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data 2009 |
| Huber et al. (2023) |
| Zozulya et al. (2024) |
| webcenter.ru (2002) |
| Zap. Vseross. Mineral. Obshch. (2) +2 other references |
Rwanda | |
| Bertossa (1968) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| KodÄra (1986) |
| ChudĂk P. |
| Uher et al. (2006) +1 other reference |
| Uher et al. (n.d.) |
| KodÄra (1986) |
| Uher (stredné Slovensko) |
| Uher P. et al. (2020) |
| Uher et al. (PovaĆŸskĂœ Inovec) |
| Uher P. +1 other reference | |
South Korea | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Calvo (2009) |
| Guldris Leon +2 other references |
| Roza Llera +3 other references |
| Calvo (2009) |
Ukraine | |
| Kurylo et al. (2022) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Fred Davis collection |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| XRD by Jim Wilson of Weber State |
| Wise et al. (2012) |
| Vandall King |
| Travis Olds collection |
| Buchholz et al. (2014) | |
| Rocks & Min. 80:256 (2005) |
| Thompson et al. (2022) |
| Ex. Forrest Cureton |
| www.excaliburmineral.com Smithsonian ... |
| MinMax Mineral Information System |
| Miller |
| Danas System of Mineralogy 7th ed |
| ÄernĂœ et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Kearns et al. (2016) |
| www.uwrf.edu/~wc01 |
Zimbabwe | |
| Cairncross (2004) |
| Wolfgang Hampel |
The Moon | |
| Mokhov A.V. et al. (2018) |
Quick NavTopAbout Tantalite-(Fe)Unique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Geological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Pomarolli farm, LinĂłpolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil