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Mineral group · Oxides & Hydroxide

Tantalite

(Fe,Mn)Ta₂O₆

Tantalum oxide series — the source of Ta in electronics.

Hardness6–6.5
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
ClassOxides & Hydroxide
←PrevTantalcarbideNextTantalite-(Fe)→
Tantalite specimen

Tantalite-(Fe) Dimensions: 16 mm x 12 mm x 5 mm Locality: Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil Original description: Ferrotantalite crystal, — Photo: Kelly Nash · CC BY 3.0

Tantalite

Also known as: Coltan ore.

The tantalum end of the columbite-tantalite series — half of the ore pair called 'coltan'.

Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Tantalite is a mineral group, with the chemical formula (Fe,Mn)Ta₂O₆.

It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 6–6.5; typically black or brown.

Collections: Metals & Native Elements, Collector Favorites.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data and a Wikipedia introduction — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more T minerals or help write this entry.