Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
tantalite

Chemical Group:   tantalate    

Chemical Formula:  FeTa₂O₆  (iron tantalate)   

Color:  iron-black, grayish black, brownish black

Fracture:  sub-conchoidal to uneven  

Hardness:   6            Specific Gravity:  5.3 to 7.3           

Cleavage:  (001) distinct, (010) less distinct            Luster:   sub-metallic

Tenacity:  brittle            Streak:  dark red to black
 

Transparency: translucent      Luster: vitreous or resinous; sometimes iridescent

Crystal Forms:  Orthorhombic system
     Crystals are short prismatic; often rectangular prisms

Mineral Associations:  found in pegmatite veins 

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  tantalum ore

Occurrences:  Russia, Finland, France, Greenland, Australia, Brazil, Africa

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-        when inhaled-

Additional Information: