Jedwabite is a rare iron tantalum mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1995.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Jedwabite

Jedwabite is a rare iron tantalum mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1995.

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Gray
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this jedwabite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch jedwabite with a known reference. Jedwabite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jedwabite leaves a gray streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Jedwabite typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: silver-white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: microscopic grains, aggregates.

Often confused with

Jedwabite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Haxonite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Haxonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3.5-4).

How to tell apart: Cohenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5-4); streak differs, so Jedwabite leaves gray, Cohenite leaves gray-black.

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Often found alongside jedwabite

Minerals reported to co-occur with jedwabite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Fe₇Ta₃
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 9.5-10.0 g/cm³
Colors: Silver-white Gray
Streak: Gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Microscopic Grains, Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Placer Deposits, Ultramafic Rocks

Where rockhounds find jedwabite

Classic worldwide localities

Kozhim River, Subpolar Urals, Russia
Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in placer deposits, ultramafic rocks country, the host setting where jedwabite typically forms. If you start seeing native iron, moissanite, ilmenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic grains, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify jedwabite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is gray. Common colors include silver-white, gray.

Where is jedwabite found?+

Notable localities include Kozhim River, Subpolar Urals, Russia; Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like jedwabite?+

Jedwabite is most often confused with Haxonite, Cohenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with jedwabite?+

Jedwabite commonly co-occurs with native iron, moissanite, ilmenite, platinum group minerals. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does jedwabite form in?+

Jedwabite typically forms in placer deposits, ultramafic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is jedwabite used for?+

Jedwabite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find jedwabite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.