Tantalowodginite is a rare member of the wodginite group characterized by its high tantalum content. It is primarily found as accessory minerals in complex granitic pegmatites, often appearing as dark, submetallic grains or small crystals embedded in feldspar or quartz matrices.
Is this tantalowodginite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch tantalowodginite with a known reference. Tantalowodginite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish tan.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to sub-adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Tantalowodginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tantalowodginite leaves yellowish tan, Wodginite leaves brown; luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Tantalowodginite and submetallic on Wodginite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tantalowodginite leaves yellowish tan, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Tantalowodginite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Tantalowodginite leaves yellowish tan, Columbite leaves blackish brown; luster reads vitreous to sub-adamantine on Tantalowodginite and submetallic on Columbite.
Often found alongside tantalowodginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tantalowodginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Ta₂Ta₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 7.61 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to sub-adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In the quartz-K-feldspar core of a complexly zoned pegmatite dike intruded into high-grade metasedimentary migmatites
Where rockhounds find tantalowodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Emmons pegmatite, Uncle Tom Mountain, near Greenwood, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the quartz-K-feldspar core of a complexly zoned pegmatite dike intruded into high-grade metasedimentary migmatites. If you start seeing tantalite-, wodginite, columbite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tantalowodginite?+
Where is tantalowodginite found?+
What rocks look like tantalowodginite?+
What minerals are found with tantalowodginite?+
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Find tantalowodginite on the map
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