Stibiotantalite

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Stibiotantalite
Stibiotantalite-ch10a.jpg
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Sb(Ta,Nb)O4
IMA symbolSttl[1]
Strunz classification04.DE.30
Dana classification08.01.06.02
Crystal systemorthorhombic
Space groupmm2
Unit cella = 4.9, b = 11.79, c = 5.57Å, Z = 4; V = 321.78
Identification
Formula mass336.70
Colouryellow to dark brown, reddish
Fracturebrittle-conchoidal
Mohs scale hardness5.5
Streaklight yellow
Diaphaneitytransparent to translucent
Density6 to 7.57
Refractive index1.55 - 1.69
BirefringenceBiaxial (+), a=2.3742, b=2.4039
2V angle75.083
Dispersionstrong

Stibiotantalite is a mineral consisting of Sb(Ta,Nb)O4 (antimony, tantalum or niobium, and oxygen). It is found in complex granite pegmatites.[2]

If the quantity of niobium exceeds the tantalum content, the mineral is called .[3]

It is translucent to transparent, medium hard (5.5 mohs), appears yellow to dark brown, reddish or greenish brown, with an adamantine luster.

Stibiotantalite is found in veins and walls associated with tin mines. It is a fairly rare to rare mineral. Due to its relative softness, it is more likely to be found in mineral collections than in jewelry.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ "Stibiotantalite Mineral Data". Web Mineral. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Stibiotantalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information". International Gem Society. Retrieved March 9, 2019.



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