Stibiotantalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stibiotantalite
Formula:
Sb(Ta,Nb)O4
Colour:
Dark brown to light yellowish brown; reddish yellow, reddish brown, greenish yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine, Resinous
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
5.98 - 7.34
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its antimony (Greek = stibi) content and similarity to tantalite.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3739
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3739:2
IMA Classification of Stibiotantalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Sb3+TaO4
First published:
1893
Classification of Stibiotantalite
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
8.1.6.2
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
18.1.28
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sttl | 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 Stibiotantalite
Adamantine, Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark brown to light yellowish brown; reddish yellow, reddish brown, greenish yellow
Streak:
Light yellow, yellow-brown
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001} distinct; {100} indistinct.
{001} distinct; {100} indistinct.
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
5.98 - 7.34 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.58 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
7.53 for synthetic material.
Optical Data of Stibiotantalite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.3742 nβ = 2.4039 nγ = 2.4568
2V:
Measured: 75° , Calculated: 76°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.083
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
relatively strong r
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c
Chemistry of Stibiotantalite
Mindat Formula:
Sb(Ta,Nb)O4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Nb
Chemical Analysis
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Sb0.96Bi0.04)?E1.00(Ta0.85Nb0.15)Σ1.00O4 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nanyangshan 703 deposit, Nanyangshan pegmatite field, Lushi County, Sanmenxia, Henan, China | empirical formula basis: 4 oxygen apfu |
Crystallography of Stibiotantalite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.911 Å, b = 11.814 Å, c = 5.535 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.416 : 1 : 0.469
Unit Cell V:
321.13 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic [001]. {010} and {110} striated parallel to [001]. The crystals infreqently exhibit morphological evidence of hemimorphism.
Twinning:
Polysynthetic twinning with twin axis [010] and composition plane {001}; also individuals irregularly intergrown.
Comment:
Space Group: P c21n (synthetic SbTaO4).
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015749 | Stibiotantalite | Dihlstrom K (1938) Uber den bau des wahren antimontetroxyds und des damit isomorphen stibiotantalits, SbTaO4 Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 239 57-64 | 1938 | Grande Mesa, California, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.121 Å | (100) |
| 3.506 Å | (38) |
| 2.950 Å | (34) |
| 2.687 Å | (22) |
| 2.692 Å | (21) |
| 1.735 Å | (19) |
| 1.888 Å | (17) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Uncommon accessory mineral in complex granitic pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Stibiotantalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Waterworn pebble
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Western Australian Museum, Perth, Australia, MDC550.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 111954.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 111954.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Alluvial
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Stibiotantalite
Columbite-Tantalite (in part)
Other Language Names for Stibiotantalite
Varieties of Stibiotantalite
Relationship of Stibiotantalite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cervantite Group:
| Bismutocolumbite | Bi(Nb,Ta)O4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 | Orth. |
| Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Stibiocolumbite | Sb(Nb,Ta)O4 | Orth. mm2 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 34 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 33 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Oxystibiomicrolite | (Sb3+,Ca)2Ta2O6O |
| 29 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Native Antimony | Sb |
| 28 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Lepidolite | |
| 13 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 10 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 10 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 8 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Tantalite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 5 photos of Stibiotantalite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
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 | Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Bismutocolumbite | Bi(Nb,Ta)O4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | Sb(Nb,Ta)O4 |
| 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
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 Stibiotantalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3739.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Stibiotantalite
Reference List:
Ungemach, Henri (1909) Sur la stibiotantalite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 32 (3) 92-103 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1909.3358
Dihlström, Klas (1938) Über den Bau des wahren Antimontetroxyds und des damit isomorphen Stibiotantalits, SbTaO4. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 239. 57-64 doi:10.1002/zaac.19382390107
Localities for Stibiotantalite
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.
Afghanistan | |
| Lyckberg (2011) |
| Herb Obodda |
Angola | |
| Gonçalves et al. (2019) |
| Gonçalves et al. (2019) | |
Australia | |
| von Knorring et al. (1963) |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) | |
| von Knorring et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| Jacobson et al. (2007) |
| - (Perth 2007) +2 other references |
Brazil | |
| Petrov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Cerny et al. 2012 +1 other reference |
| Breaks +2 other references |
China | |
| Ruiling He and Enkui Cao (1985) |
| Qu et al. (2020) |
Czech Republic | |
| Novák et al. (1999) |
Egypt | |
| Helba et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Pezzotta +1 other reference |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Japan | |
| Banno et al (2001) |
| Matsubara et al (1995) |
Madagascar | |
| Biagioni et al. (2018) |
| Pezzotta (2007) |
| Pezzotta (2007) | |
Mozambique | |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| MnhnL collection |
| Wilson et al. (2000) | |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| von Knorring et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) | |
| Schappmann (2005) |
Myanmar | |
| Crystal-Treasure.com |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2010) |
Nepal | |
| - (n.d.) |
Norway | |
| Rune S. Selbekk (2010) +1 other reference |
Pakistan | |
| MIM Museum collection |
| Scovill (2007) +1 other reference |
| Blauwet et al. (2004) | |
| imported from Rondu District +1 other reference | |
Poland | |
| Pieczka +6 other references |
Russia | |
| Popova et al. (2010) |
| Alexandr E. Zadov data |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Igor.V. Pekov (2008) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2020) |
Slovakia | |
| Uher P. |
Sri Lanka | |
| Ceylon Aluvial Mine (Book, Co. 2002) |
Sweden | |
| von Knorring et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Phil Osborn collection |
| DeVito et al. (1984) |
| Fisher et al. (1) +3 other references |
| Foord et al. (1978) | |
| Rynerson (1967) | |
| Jahns et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Jahns et al. (1951) |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference | |
| |
| Weber (1963) +2 other references |
| Foord et al. (1989) +1 other reference | |
| San Diego Mining Company | |
| Ritchie |
| Rocks & Minerals +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min. Vol.71 +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) | |
| Palache et al. (1940) |
| Longwell et al. (1965) |
| Falster et al. (1996) |
Zimbabwe | |
| Hornung. G. PhD thesis. Pegmatites of ... |
| von Knorring et al. (1963) |
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Naipa mine, Muiane-Naipa group, Gilé District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique