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Stibiotantalite

Formula:
Sb(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
System:OrthorhombicColour:Yellow to dark brown, ...
Hardness:
Name:The name reflects its antimony (Greek = stibi) content and similarity to tantalite.

Classification of Stibiotantalite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/D.25-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DE.30

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
E : With medium-sized cations; with various polyhedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.1.6.2

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:18.1.28

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
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Type Occurrence of Stibiotantalite

Type Locality:Greenbushes Sn placers, Greenbushes Tinfield, Western Australia, Australia
Year of Discovery:1893

Occurrences of Stibiotantalite

Geological Setting:Uncommon accessory mineral in complex granitic pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Stibiotantalite

Lustre:Adamantine, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Yellow to dark brown, reddish or greenish brown
Streak:Light yellow, yellow-brown
Hardness (Mohs):
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
{001} distinct; {100} indistinct.
Fracture:Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):5.98 - 7.34 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.58 g/cm3
Comment:7.53 for synthetic material.

Crystallography of Stibiotantalite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 4.911Å, b = 11.814Å, c = 5.535Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.416 : 1 : 0.469
Unit Cell Volume:V 321.13 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Prismatic [001]. {010} and {110} striated parallel to [001]. The crystals infreqently exhibit morphological evidence of hemimorphism.
Twinning:Polysynthetic twinning with twin axis [010] and composition plane {001}; also individuals irregularly intergrown.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Stibiotantalite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 2.374 nβ = 2.404 nγ = 2.457
2V:Measured: 75° , Calculated: 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.083

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:relatively strong r

Chemical Properties of Stibiotantalite

Formula:
Sb(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
Essential elements:O, Sb, Ta
All elements listed in formula:Nb, O, Sb, Ta
Common Impurities:Nb

Relationship of Stibiotantalite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Stibiocolumbite (see here)
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.DE.05Downeyite
SeO
 
2
4.DE.10Koragoite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
(Nb,Mn)
 
2
(W,Ta)
 
2
O
 
20
4.DE.15Koechlinite
(BiO)
 
2
[MoO
 
4
]
4.DE.15Russellite
(BiO)
 
2
[WO
 
4
]
4.DE.15Tungstibite
Sb
 
2
WO
 
6
4.DE.20Tellurite
TeO
 
2
4.DE.25Paratellurite
TeO
 
2
4.DE.30Bismutotantalite
Bi(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
4.DE.30Bismutocolumbite
Bi(Nb,Ta)O
 
4
4.DE.30Cervantite
Sb
3+
 
Sb
5+
 
O
 
4
4.DE.30Stibiocolumbite
Sb(Nb,Ta)O
 
4
4.DE.30Clinocervantite
Sb
3+
 
Sb
5+
 
O
 
4
4.DE.35Baddeleyite
ZrO
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
18.1.1Lithiotantite
Li(Ta,Nb)
 
3
O
 
8
18.1.2Lueshite
NaNbO
 
3
18.1.3Natroniobite
NaNbO
 
3
18.1.4Franconite
Na
 
2
Nb
 
4
O
 
11
·9H
 
2
O
18.1.5Natrotantite
Na
 
2
Ta
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.6Irtyshite
Na
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.7Rankamaite
(Na,K,Pb,Li)
 
3
(Ta,Nb,Al)
 
11
(O,OH)
 
30
18.1.8Kalipyrochlore
(K,Sr)
 
2-x
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)·nH
 
2
O
18.1.9Calciotantite
CaTa
 
4
O
 
11
18.1.10Rynersonite
Ca(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.11Microlite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
18.1.12Belyankinite
Ca
 
1-2
(Ti,Zr,Nb)
 
5
O
 
12
· 9H
 
2
O (?)
18.1.13Latrappite
(Ca,Na)(Nb,Ti,Fe)O
 
3
18.1.14Hochelagaite
(Ca,Na,Sr)(Nb,Ti,Si,Al)
 
4
O
 
11
·8H
 
2
O
18.1.15Bariomicrolite
Ba(Ta,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.16Parabariomicrolite
BaTa
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
18.1.17Bariopyrochlore
(Ba,Sr)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.18Alumotantite
AlTaO
 
4
18.1.19Simpsonite
Al
 
4
(Ta,Nb)
 
3
O
 
13
(OH,F)
18.1.20Sosedkoite
(K,Na)
 
5
Al
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
22
O
 
60
18.1.21Thoreaulite
SnTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.22Stannomicrolite
(Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
2
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.23Foordite
(Sn,Pb)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.24Changbaiite
PbNb
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.25Plumbopyrochlore
(Pb,Ca,Y,U)
 
2-x
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,O)
18.1.26Plumbomicrolite
(Pb,Ca,U)
 
2-x
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
O
 
6
(O,[])
18.1.27Stibiocolumbite
Sb(Nb,Ta)O
 
4
18.1.29Natrobistantite
(Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
 
4
O
 
12
18.1.30Cesplumtantite
(Cs,Na)
 
2
(Pb,Sb
3+
 
)
 
3
Ta
 
8
O
 
24
18.1.31Stibiomicrolite
(Sb,Ca,Na)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
7
18.1.32Cesstibtantite
(Cs,Na)SbTa
 
4
O
 
12
18.1.33 Stibobetafite
(Ca,Sb)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.1.34Bismutotantalite
Bi(Ta,Nb)O
 
4
18.1.35Bismutomicrolite
(Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
18.1.36Tantalite-(Mn)
MnTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.37Gerasimovskite
(Mn,Ca)(Nb,Ti)
 
5
O
 
12
·9H
 
2
O
18.1.38Tapiolite-(Mn)
(Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.39Columbite-(Mn)
(Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.40Wodginite
Mn(Sn,Ta)Ta
 
2
O
 
8
18.1.41Ixiolite
(Ta,Nb,Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
4
O
 
8
18.1.42Columbite-(Fe)
FeNb
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.43Tantalite-(Fe)
FeTa
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.44Columbite
(Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.45Tantalite
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.46Tapiolite
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.47Tapiolite-(Fe)
(Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.48Columbite-(Mg)
(Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
18.1.50Strüverite
(Ti,Ta,Fe)O
 
2
18.1.51 Staringite
(Fe,Mn)
 
x
(Ta,Nb)
 
2x
Sn
 
6-3x
O
 
12

Other Names for Stibiotantalite

Other Languages:
German:Stibiotantalit
Russian:Стибиотанталит
Spanish:Stibiotantalita
Varieties:
Bismuthian Stibiotantalite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Stibiotantalite

Reference List:Goyder (1892), Proceedings of the Chem. Society London: 9: 184.

Goyder (1893), Journal Chem. Soc. Trans., 53, 1076.

Penfield, Samuel Lewis & William Ebenezer Ford (1906), On stibiotantalite: American Journal of Science, 4th. series: 22: 61-77;…Zeitschr. Kristallographie, Band 43: 334-350 (1906).

Simpson (1907), Australasian Academy of Science, Report: 11: 455.

Ungemach, H. (1909), Sur la stibiotantalite: Soc. Franc. Mineralogie, Bull. 32: 92-103.

Foote and Langley (1910), American Journal of Science: 30: 399.

Ford, William Ebenezer (1911), Note on some analyses of stibiotantalite: American Journal of Science, 4th. Series: 32: 287-288.

Simpson (1936), Royal Society of Western Australia, Journal: 22: 1.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 767-769.

Foord, E.E. (1981), Bismuthian stibiocolumbite-tantalite and other minerals from the Little Three mine, Ramona, California: Mineral Society of America – Friends of Mineralogy, symposium abstracts.

Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva (1981): 110: 341.

Internet Links for Stibiotantalite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Stibiotantalite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Laghman (Lagman; Nuristan) Province
    Herb Obodda
    • Nuristan Province (Nurestan; Nooristan)
    O. Dziallas
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Greenbushes Tinfield
    Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Rio Grande do Norte
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Equador
    http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/parabariomicrolite.pdf.; Canadian Mineralogist (1986): 24: 655-663.
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Galiléia
    Alfredo Petrov specimen (on stokesite); XRD by Dr. Anthony Kampf.
    Burma (Myanmar)
     
    Crystal-Treasure.com
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Kenora District
        • Red Lake
    China
     
    • Henan Province
      • Sanmenxia Prefecture
        • Lushi Co.
          • Guanpo
    Ruiling He and Enkui Cao (1985): Geology of Shaanxi 3(2), 39-46.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Velké Meziříčí
    Novák, M., Staněk, J.: Lepidolitový pegmatit od Dobré Vody u Velkého Meziříčí, západní Morava. Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae geologicae, 1999, roč. 84, s. 3 - 44.
    Egypt
     
    • Red Sea Governorate
      • Eastern Desert
        • Marsa Alam
    Helba, H., Trumbull, R.B., Morteani, G., Khalil, S.O., and Arslan, A. (1997): Mineralium Deposita 32, 164-179.
    Italy
     
    • Lombardy
      • Brescia Province
        • Adamello-Brenta Natural Park
          • Adamello Massif
            • Mt. Foppa
    Pezzotta, Federico and Guastoni, Alessandro, The New Discovery of a LCT Pegmatite in the Adamello Massif, Central Southern Alps, Italy; Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy.
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Beura-Cardezza
    Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Ibaraki Prefecture
          • Hitachiohta City
    Matsubara et al (1995) Mineralogical Journal, 17, 338-345.
    • Kyushu Island
      • Fukuoka Prefecture
    Banno et al (2001) JMPS, 96, 205-209.
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region (Betafo - Antsirabé region)
        • Betafo District
          • Andrembesoa Commune
            • Tetezantsio-Andoabatokely Pegmatite Field
    Pezzotta, Federico (2007): Ta-Nb borates and other rare accessory phases in granitic pegmatites of the Itremo region, central Madagascar. Bergverksmuseet Skrift 35,97-98
    Pezzotta, Federico (2007): Ta-Nb borates and other rare accessory phases in granitic pegmatites of the Itremo region, central Madagascar. Bergverksmuseet Skrift 35,97-98
    Mozambique
     
    • Zambezia Province
      • Alto Ligonha District
    Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    Martinas de Pedra; Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    Nepal
     
    • Kosi Zone
      • Sankhuwasabha District (Sankhuwa Sahba)
    Natural History Museum Vienna collection
    Pakistan
     
    • Northern Areas
      • Baltistan
        • Skardu District
          • Haramosh Mts.
    Dudley Blauwet, Bill Smith and Carol Smith (2004) Table of mineral localities of the northern areas of Pakistan and other selected sites. (in "Pakistan: Minerals, Mountains & Majesty", Lapis International, East Hampton, Connecticut)
    Lapis 1991, issue 3 (see also Scvill, J. (2007): Lapis 32 (4), 40-42.)
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Voron'i Tundry
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Slovakia
     
    • Žilina Region
      • Northern Low Tatra Mts
    Uher P., 2000: Stibiotantalit v pegmatite Sb ložiska Dúbrava - produkt hydrotermálnej alterácie kolumbitu-tantalitu. Min.Slovaca, Bratislava, 32, 109-114
    Sweden
     
    • Västerbotten
      • Skellefteå
    Cerny et al. (2004) Can. Min. 89, 505-518; Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    USA
     
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Cahuilla District
          • Cahuilla Mountain (Coahuila)
    Phil Osborn collection, circa 1981.
        • Jurupa
    MinRec 15:273-290
      • San Diego Co.
        • Mesa Grande District
          • Gem Hill
    Fisher, J., E. E. Foord, and G. A. Bricker, 1999. The geology, mineralogy, and history of the Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande, San Diego County, California. California Geology 52(1):3-18.; Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
        • Pala District
          • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen)
    No reference listed
        • Ramona District
    Weber, F. H. 1963. Geology and mineral resources of San Diego County, California. California Division of Mines and Geology, County Report 3: pages 108; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 178.
    San Diego Mining Company, 1995-1997.
        • Warner Springs District
    Ritchie, S. 2000. History of the Carmelita Gem Mine in the 20th Century. Southern California Gem Industries web publication: July.
          • Warner Springs
    Rocks & Minerals, May-June 2003
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
        • Quartz Creek District
          • Ohio City
    Rocks & Min. Vol.71, No.3, p.193; Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    • Maine
      • Sagadahoc Co.
        • Topsham
    No reference listed
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
        • Gold Butte District
    NBMG Bull 62 Geology and Mineral Deposits of Clark County, Nevada
    • Wisconsin
      • Florence Co.
        • Fern
    www.uwrf.edu/~wc01/stibiotantalite.htm
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Mashonaland
      • Mtoko
    Hornung. G. PhD thesis. Pegmatites of th N. Mtoko Region. University of Leeds, Research Institute of African Geology. !961
    Mineralogical Magazine 1963 33 : 458-466
    Mineral and/or Locality
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