Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Madagascar
SIZE : 5.3 x 3.2 cm

This ferrotantalite crystal comes from Madagascar, the precise locality is unknown. It measures 5.3 cm of lenght, it is well-formed and its edges are clean-cut. It is blueish black.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Ferrotantalite

HISTORY : Name given because of its high iron content and from "Tantale", a Greek mythology figure

Species first described in 1836 by Thomas Thomson (1773-1852), Scottisch scientist

Type-locality: Lawrence Co, South Dakota, USA

CHEMICAL FORMULA : (Fe2+,Mn2+) (Ta,Nb)2O6
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Brown, black, gray
DIAPHANIETY : Opaque
LUSTER : Sub-metallic to vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Small prismatic crystals
HARDNESS : 6,0-6,5
DENSITY : 8,2

CHEMICAL CLASS : IV - Oxides, hydroxides
GROUP : Columbite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 4/D.18-50
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 4.DB.35

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Ferrotantalite

Ferrotantalite

MNHN N°193.14

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