Bismutotantalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bismutotantalite
Formula:
BiTaO4
Colour:
Light brown to pitch-black; very thin splinters are light smoke-grey to colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
8.15 - 8.89
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing bismuth and its relationship to tantalite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Bismutotantalite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
663
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:663:9
IMA Classification of Bismutotantalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Bi3+Ta5+O4
First published:
1929
Classification of Bismutotantalite
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
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
8.1.6.3
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
18.1.34
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bttl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Bismutotantalite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Bismutotantalite
Adamantine, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Light brown to pitch-black; very thin splinters are light smoke-grey to colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
Yellow, yellow-brown to black
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010}, distinct on {101} and {100}.
On {010}, distinct on {101} and {100}.
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
8.15 - 8.89 g/cm3 (Measured) 8.9 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bismutotantalite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.388 - 2.395 nβ = 2.403 - 2.408 nγ = 2.426 - 2.428
2V:
Measured: 80° , Calculated: 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.033 - 0.038
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v
Comments:
The mineral is isotropic when metamict
Chemistry of Bismutotantalite
Mindat Formula:
BiTaO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Mn,Sb,Si,Zn
Crystallography of Bismutotantalite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.99(1) Å, b = 11.85(4) Å, c = 5.68(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.421 : 1 : 0.479
Unit Cell V:
335.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Stout crystals, prismatic on [001], to 10 cm; commonly irregular or misshapen; as stream-rounded pebbles in placers.
Comment:
may be metamict. Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2; Space Group: P cmn or P cn21.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005705 | Bismutotantalite | Galliski M A, Marquez-Zavalia M F, Cooper M A, Cerny P, Hawthorne F C (2001) Bismutotantalite from northwestern Argentina: Description and crystal structure The Canadian Mineralogist 39 103-110 |  | 2001 | northwestern Argentina | 0 | 293 |
| 0005704 | Bismutotantalite | Galliski M A, Marquez-Zavalia M F, Cooper M A, Cerny P, Hawthorne F C (2001) Bismutotantalite from northwestern Argentina: Description and crystal structure The Canadian Mineralogist 39 103-110 | | 2001 | northwestern Argentina | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.148 Å | (10) |
| 2.945 Å | (6) |
| 3.555 Å | (3) |
| 1.735 Å | (3) |
| 1.270 Å | (3) |
| 2.819 Å | (2) |
| 2.743 Å | (2) |
Reference:
Comments:
Recorded on material from Acari, Brazil
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
In pegmatites; in alluvial placers
Type Occurrence of Bismutotantalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Large (to 10x6x6 cm) misshapen crystals up to several pounds in weight.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England (No. 1929,160)
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (No. 96044)
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (No. 96044)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Bismutotantalite
Dutch:Bismutotantaliet
German:Bismutotantalit
Ugandit
Ugandit
Russian:Бисмутотанталит
Spanish:Bismutotantalita
Ugandita
Ugandita
Relationship of Bismutotantalite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cervantite Group:
| Bismutocolumbite | BiNbO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Stibiotantalite | Sb3+TaO4 | Orth. mm2 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Bismutotantalite associated with Oxybismutomicrolite | (Bi1.33◻0.67)Σ2Ta2O6O |
| 1 photo of Bismutotantalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Bismutotantalite associated with Fluor-elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DE. | Colchesterite | Bi3+2Mo6+2O9 |
| 4.DE. | Pertoldite | GeO2 |
| 4.DE. | Ziroite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.05 | Downeyite | SeO2 |
| 4.DE.10 | Koragoite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)3(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(Nb,Mn)2(W,Ta)2O20 |
| 4.DE.15 | Russellite | Bi2WO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Koechlinite | Bi2MoO6 |
| 4.DE.15 | Tungstibite | Sb3+2WO6 |
| 4.DE.20 | Tellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.25 | Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiotantalite | Sb3+TaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutocolumbite | BiNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.35 | Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
| 4.DE.40 | Billwiseite | Sb3+5Nb3WO18 |
| 4.DE.45 | Kyawthuite | Bi3+Sb5+O4 |
Other Information
Notes:
Not attacked by acids, including HF.
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 Bismutotantalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-663.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bismutotantalite
Reference List:
Wayland, E. J., Spencer, L. J. (1929) Bismutotantalite, a new mineral, from Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 22 (127) 185-192 doi:10.1180/minmag.1929.022.127.04
Wayland, E. J., Spencer, L. J. (1929) Bismutotantalite, a new mineral, from Uganda. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 22 (127) 185-192 doi:10.1180/minmag.1929.022.127.04
Roth, R. S., Waring, J. L. (1963) Synthesis and stability of bismutotantalite, stibiotantalite and chemically similar ABO4 compounds. American Mineralogist, 48 (11-12) 1348-1356
von Knorring, Oleg, Fadipe, Akinola (1981) On the mineralogy and geochemistry of niobium and tantalum in some granite pegmatites and alkali granites of Africa. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 104 (4) 496-507 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1981.7500
Galliski, M. A., Marquez-Zavalia, M. F., Cooper, M. A., Cerny, P., Hawthorne, F. C. (2001) Bismutotantalite from northwestern Argentina: description and crystal structure. The Canadian Mineralogist, 39 (1) 103-110 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.39.1.103
Localities for Bismutotantalite
Showing 30 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.
Argentina | |
| López de Azarevich et al. (2021) |
| Galliski et al. (2001) |
Australia | |
| Grguric et al. (2009) |
Brazil | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
| Beurlen et al. (2008) |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
| Anthony et al. (1997) | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) | |
Canada | |
| Dixon et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Fan G. et al. (2013) |
| Qu et al. (2020) |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
Italy | |
| Pezzotta +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1963) +1 other reference |
| Tony Nichisher | |
Mozambique | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
Nigeria | |
| mim museum specimen |
Russia | |
| Igor.V. Pekov (2008) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) |
Sweden | |
| Analysis by the Swedish Museum of ... |
Uganda (TL) | |
| Wayland et al. (1929) +1 other reference |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Uganda Geological Survey Bull. 4 | |
USA | |
| San Diego Mining Company (2009) |
| Eric Briggs collection |
| Jahns et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
Zimbabwe | |
| Gallagher (1967) |
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