Tantite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tantite
Formula:
Ta2O5
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
8.45 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
The name reflects its tantalum content.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Tantite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3884
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3884:9
Similar Names
| Santite | A valid IMA mineral species | K[B5O6(OH)4] · 2H2O |
| Tactite | A rock subtype | |
| Tankite (of Haidinger) | A synonym of Xenotime-(Y) | |
| Tondiite | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu3Mg(OH)6Cl2 |
| Xantite | A synonym of 'Xanthite' |
IMA Classification of Tantite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Classification of Tantite
4.E0.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
E : Metal: Oxygen = < 1 :2
0 :
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
E : Metal: Oxygen = < 1 :2
0 :
4.6.6.1
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
6 : Miscellaneous
7.12.22
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
12 : Oxides of V, Nb and Ta
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tan | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tantite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=1300 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
8.45 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tantite
Type:
Biaxial
Anisotropism:
observed
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 486nm | 17.5% | 16.5% |
| 551nm | 17.2% | 15.4% |
| 589nm | 17.1% | 15.3% |
| 656nm | 15.4% | 14.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 17.5%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
Greyish-white
Chemistry of Tantite
Mindat Formula:
Ta2O5
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Nb
Crystallography of Tantite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.80(2) Å, b = 3.79(2) Å, c = 35.74(4) Å
α = 90.91°, β = 90.19°, γ = 90°
α = 90.91°, β = 90.19°, γ = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.003 : 1 : 9.43
Unit Cell V:
514.66 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013292 | Tantite | Stephenson N C, Roth R S (1971) The crystal structure of the high temperature form of Ta2O2 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 3 145-153 | 1971 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.01 Å | (10b) |
| 1.844 Å | (9b) |
| 1.573 Å | (8) |
| 2.429 Å | (5) |
| 1.004 Å | (5) |
| 1.360 Å | (4) |
| 3.98 Å | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Tantite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Veinlets 0.5 mm long and 0.02 mm wide, and 0.04 to 0.05 mm lenticular segregations, as well as interstitial material in microlite crystal aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geology Museum, Kola Branch, Academy of Sciences, Apatity, 5770.
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1683/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82545.
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1683/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 82545.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tantite
Other Language Names for Tantite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Tantite associated with Microlite Group | A2-mTa2X6-wZ-n |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.E0. | Liguowuite | WO3 |
| 4.E0. | Tianhuixinite | (MoO3)3 · H2O |
| 4.E0. | Hanahanite | [Zn8(OH)14(SO4)] · 3H2O |
| 4.E0.10 | Molybdite | MoO3 |
| 4.E0.10 | 'Krasnogorite' | WO3 |
Fluorescence of Tantite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Weak blue cathodoluminescence.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tantite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3884.html
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References for Tantite
Localities for Tantite
Showing 7 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) |
Canada | |
| Garagan (2014) |
| Critical Elements Corporation |
Russia | |
| Zelenski et al. (2020) |
| Sukhanova et al. (2023) |
| Voloshin et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Falster et al. (1996) |
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Vasin-Myl'k Mt, Voron'i Tundry, Murmansk Oblast, Russia