Tantite

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.

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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

• Mindat with location data Accessed March 31, 2006.
• Webmineral data Accessed March 31, 2006.
• Wisconsin minerals Accessed March 31, 2006.
• American Mineralogist data sheet PDF Accessed March 31, 2006.