Tantite

Tantite
General
Category Mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ta2O5
Strunz classification 04.EA.05
Dana classification 04.06.06.01
Unit cell a = 3.8 Å, b = 3.79 Å, c = 35.74 Å; β = 90.18°; Z = 6
Identification
Formula mass 441.89 g
Color Colorless
Crystal system Triclinic - Pedial
Cleavage None
Mohs scale hardness 7
Luster Adamantine
Streak White
Diaphaneity Transparent
Specific gravity 8.55
Density 8.45 g/cm3
Optical properties Biaxial
References [1][2]

Tantite is a rare tantalum oxide mineral with formula: Ta2O5. Tantite forms transparent microscopic colorless triclinic - pedial crystals with an adamantine luster. It has a Mohs hardness of 7 and a high specific gravity of 8.45. Chemical analyses show minor inclusion (1.3%) of niobium oxide.

It was first described in 1983 for an occurrence in a pegmatite in the Kola peninsula, Russia. It has also been reported from a pegmatite complex in Florence County, Wisconsin. Associated mineral species include elbaite, lepidolite, spodumene, columbite-tantalite, wodginite, and microlite.

References

  1. "Tantite mineral information and data". Mindat.org. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  2. "Tantite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.


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