Tantalite Gem: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

“Tantalite” is a term used for tantalum oxide minerals, each with a dominant element of magnesium, iron, or manganese, respectively. The manganese-dominant manganotantalite or tantalite-(Mn) is the only one cut into gemstones.

Although manganotantalite is the only family member present in the gemstone world, it’s very rarely found as gem-quality crystals. All the tantalite crystals are remarkable for their very high densities and refractive indices.

Most often, tantalite minerals are sought after by collectors, particularly rare mineral collectors. The mineral is also a crucial source of tantalum, a rare but important metal to many industries.

We’ve built our family-owned business on decades of research, commitment, and appreciation for every gem and mineral, popular or underrated. So today, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the underrated gemstone tantalite, including its properties, history, uses, varieties, and prices!

What Is A Tantalite Stone?

Tantalite stones are important minerals for various industries, with some rare varieties like manganotantalite making beautiful semi-precious gemstones.

The coloring of manganotantalite is often deep red, resembling the precious gemstone ruby. As such, a manganotantalite crystal makes a great substitute for ruby as a July birthstone gift.

Astrologically, red tantalite benefits Libra signs. However, most tantalites are brown to black, benefiting the earth signs Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo.

Tantalite minerals are very similar to tapiolite and columbite, but their specific mineral traits help set them apart.

Tantalite Specifications & Characteristics

Technically, “tantalite” isn’t a mineral itself, but rather an old term for related orthorhombic tantalum oxide minerals. These minerals are in the columbite group, itself a subgroup of the columbite supergroup. Other members of the columbite group include qitianlingite and the three columbite minerals (the iron, magnesium, and manganese variants).

The main two tantalite minerals form a series: tantalite-(Mn) or manganotantalite and tantalite-(Fe) or ferrotantalite. Minerals within this series have the formula (Mn,Fe)(Ta,Nb)2O6 or (Mn2+,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6.

However, there’s a third tantalite called tantalite-(Mg) or magnesiotantalite, the magnesium-dominant analogue of ferrotantalite and manganotantalite. Tantalite-(Mg) has the chemical formula MgTa2O6.

Additionally, tantalite is a polymorph of tapiolite — both have the same composition but tapiolite is tetragonal, not orthorhombic.

In terms of habits, tantalite crystals are often prismatic, tabular, or pyramidal, sometimes growing together to form heart-shaped twins. Aggregates of tantalite crystals are common. The minerals also occur as masses.

Tantalite Properties List

Below is a list of the tantalite mineral properties, with ferrotantalite (Fe), manganotantalite (Mn), and magnesiotantalite (Mg) specified when relevant:

• Mohs hardness: 6-6.5 (Fe); 6 (Mn); 5.5 (Mg)

• Color: Black, brownish-black, or brown (Fe); Black, reddish-brown, pink, or near-colorless (Mn); Black (Mg)

• Crystal structure: Orthorhombic

• Luster: Sub-adamantine, greasy, metallic, or submetallic (Fe); Vitreous or submetallic (Mn); Metallic or submetallic (Mg)

• Transparency: Opaque (Fe & Mg); Transparent to opaque (Mn)

• Refractive index: 2.26-2.43 (Fe); 2.14-2.34 (Mn); 2.213-2.235 (Mg)

• Density: 6.65-7.95 (Fe); 6.65-8.20 (Mn); 6.70-6.79 (Mg)

• Cleavage: Distinct/Good on {100}, Less distinct on {010} (Fe & Mn); None (Mg)

• Fracture: Irregular/uneven or subconchoidal (Fe & Mn); Irregular/uneven (Mg)

• Streak: Black or dark reddish-brown (Fe); Scarlet, red, or black (Mn); Brownish-red (Mg)

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: Strong in brown to reddish-brown (Fe); Strong in red to reddish-brown to orange or pale pink to deep red (Mn); None (Mg)

• Birefringence: 0.160-0.170 (Fe); 0.150-0.200 (Mn); Very weak bireflectance (Mg)

• Dispersion: Relatively strong (Fe); Strong (Mn); No data yet (Mg)

Types of Tantalite

As mentioned above, the “tantalite” group has three main minerals:

Pictured above: Black tantalite-(Fe) crystal specimen with small flower of crystallized white albite, found in Brazil | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ferrotantalite or Tantalite-(Fe)

Ferrotantalite is the iron-dominant tantalite with the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) approved formula of Fe2+Ta2O6. The iron (Fe) content must be higher than the manganese (Mn) content to qualify as tantalite-(Fe).

The first tantalite specimens discovered almost 200 years ago were later discovered to be ferrotantalite.

Pictured above: Red tantalite-(Mn) crystal found in Pakistan; Laura and Stevia Thompson Collection, found in Pakistan | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Manganotantalite or Tantalite-(Mn)

The manganese-dominant member of the group of tantalite-(Mn) or manganotantalite. The IMA-approved formula for this stone is MgTa2O6. A true manganotantalite must have a manganese-to-iron ratio of at least 3 to 1.

Thanks to manganotantalite’s beautiful coloring (from the manganese content) and high dispersion, it’s the only type ever cut into gemstones.

Magnesiotantalite or Tantalite-(Mg)

The newest member of the group, magnesiotantalite was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 2003 The IMA-approved formula for tantalite-(Mg) is MgTa2O6.

Usually, tantalite-(Mg) is found along the rims of tantalite-(Mn) crystals, replacing part of the manganotantalite.

Lastly, there are some minerals with “tantalite” in the name that are not in the same group as the minerals above.

Pictured above: Faceted yellow stibiotantalite gemstone

Minerals Similar to Tantalite

A few minerals are named for their similarity to tantalite minerals, but they’re not in the same columbite mineral group. These include:

• Bismutotantalite: Bismuth and tantalum oxide in cervantite group; IMA formula BiTaO4, sometimes written as Bi(Ta,Nb)O4 or Bi(Ta,Cb)O4 — Cb being the old abbreviation for niobium — for the common presence of niobium; First reported in 1929

• Stibiotantalite: Antimony tantalum oxide in the cervantite group; IMA formula Sb3+TaO4, sometimes written as Sb(Ta,Nb)O4 for the common presence of niobium; Has been found in facetable crystals but faceted stibiotantalite gems are rare, especially in large sizes; First reported in 1893

• Yttrotantalite-(Y): Radioactive oxide of yttrium, uranium, iron, tantalum, and niobium in samarskite group (another family under the columbite supergroup); Almost always metamict because of the radioactive elements; First reported in 1802

Yttrotantalite-(Y) was actually one of the first known minerals containing tantalum, which led to the naming and discovery of tantalite.

Pictured above: Yttrotantalite-(Y) specimen from type locality in Ytterby, Sweden, filled with brick-red pyrite crystal cubes in vug; Mullane Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tantalite History

The discovery of tantalite is intertwined with the discovery of the elements niobium and tantalum.

In 1801, English mineralogist & chemist Charles Hatchett discovered the element niobium in a piece of columbite. Hatchett got the columbite specimen from the British Museum, but the specimen had likely originally been found in Connecticut, USA, in the late 1600s.

At the time, the mineral wasn’t called “columbite” — Hatchett chose the name “columbium” for the element (which would later become “niobium”) and the mineral was later named columbite. Hatchett picked “columbium” to honor famed explorer Christopher Columbus.

In 1802, Swedish chemist Anders Gustaf Ekeberg found two mineral samples in Ytterby, Sweden and Kimito, Finland, respectively. After Ekeberg analyzed the “Earth Yttria” stones, he discovered that both contained a new element. He named the element “tantalum” and the mineral “tantalite.”

Where does the name tantalite come from?

Tantalum (and tantalite) refer to the demigod Tantalus in Greek mythology. Tantalus was doomed to be eternally thirsty with water just out of his reach. Since Ekeberg couldn’t get tantalum to dissolve or react to any acid during his tests, he chose to reference the mythological curse of frustration in the stone’s name.

Columbium or Tantalum or Niobium?

After Hatchett and Ekeberg’s studies were published, chemists and mineralogists saw similarities between the two elements and started trying to see if they were actually the same.

British chemist William Hyde Wollaston, for instance, argued in 1809 that the columbium in columbite and the tantalum in tantalite were identical.

Most researchers agreed until 1846, when German chemist Heinrich Rose showed the differences between columbium and tantalum. Rose renamed columbium “niobium” after another Greek mythology figure Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus.

“Columbium” and “niobium” were used interchangeably until the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) officially chose “niobium” as the element’s name in 1949.

Renaming the Tantalite Minerals

The current names tantalite-(Fe), tantalite-(Mn), and tantalite-(Mg) came about in the 2000s. Chairman of the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature, and Classification (CNMNC, part of the IMA) Ernst A.J. Burke proposed a new scheme for certain mineral names.

Besides tantalite minerals, similar groupings like axinite, apatite, ellestadite, columbite, tapiolite, and pyrosmalite were similarly adjusted with proper suffix nomenclature (e.g. apatite-(CaCl) instead of chloroapatite or axinite-(Mn) instead of manganaxinite).

The IMA adopted Burke’s proposal and stopped using the prefix versions in 2008, though many mineralogists still use the prefix versions (e.g. ferrotantalite or manganaxinite) for ease of reading, as we are doing here.

Pictured above: Faceted red manganotantalite

Tantalite Meaning

Beyond the folklore and mythology tied to tantalite’s etymology, the crystal also has many metaphysical meanings.

Spiritually, tantalite symbolizes personal growth, transformation, and resilience. Similarly, many folks opt for tantalum wedding bands to symbolize their steadfast commitment and the strength of their bond to their significant other.

Tying back to the Greek myth, the story of Tantalus serves as a lesson in the consequences of hubris; tantalite reminds us to stay humble and appreciate what we have.

Tantalite Healing Properties

As primarily brown healing stone, tantalite crystals are said to have the grounding and protective properties of other brown gemstones. In energy healing, brown and red gems like tantalite are also powerful root (base) chakra stones, the foundational energy center for stability and safety.

Physical Healing

For physical healing, crystal healers recommend tantalite for treating issues related to:

• Low energy

• Digestive health

• Anemia

• Circulation

Outside the spiritual healing realm, the tantalum in tantalite is being studied for use as a biomaterial in soft tissue healing and implant reattachment.

Emotional Healing

Mentally, tantalite healing crystals are said to promote greater self-confidence, self-awareness, resilience through difficult times, and tranquility.

Pictured above: Orange-brown faceted tantalite gemstone

Tantalite Gemstone Properties

Besides rarity, the other factors that influence tantalite’s value as a gemstone include color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Most tantalite stones are predominantly brown or black. Stones with hues closer to pure red are most valuable.

Additionally, certain tantalite minerals are notable for having colored internal reflections. For instance, magnesiotantalite and ferrotantalite are known for looking gray or light gray in reflected light while showing red, reddish-brown, or brownish-red internal reflections.

Strong pleochroism — particularly trichroism, with three colors — is also a value booster.

Cut

Facetable tantalite is not only rare but difficult to cut, given the crystal’s cleavage, so faceted tantalite gemstones are generally most valuable.

More opaque tantalite material with darker coloring may be cut into cabochons.

Most often, tantalite is sold rough (uncut) or simply polished.

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a gem, which can lower both its transparency and value. A high degree of translucence or transparency is rare and valuable in tantalite, so fewer inclusions are best (though most crystals are highly included).

Tantalite minerals are also found as inclusions in other gems and minerals. Colorless topaz may contain metallic tantalite flakes while aquamarine can have star- or fan-shaped inclusions of dark tantalite needles.

Carat Weight & Size

Surprisingly, tantalite crystals have been found in huge sizes, some multiple pounds. One of the largest tantalites is a 745-gram (1.64-lb) crystal from the Alto do Giz Pegmatite in Brazil.

However, gem-quality material is always small. Facetable manganotantalite crystals are almost always under 1 inch long, with gems almost always under 10 carats, usually under 5 carats.

Keep in mind: a high carat weight doesn’t mean a huge stone, as tantalite has an incredibly high density.

Speaking of huge stones, what type of rock is tantalite found in?

Pictured above: Rough 11-pound ferrotantalite crystal from Brazil | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Tantalite Formation & Sources

Tantalite minerals are typically found in lithium-rich granite pegmatites, though they’re also found in carbonatites and placer deposits. Most researchers believe tantalite minerals form through metamorphism induced by hot magma where rare elements like tantalum and often niobium are present.

Minerals commonly associated with tantalite stones include:

• Quartz

• Microlite

• Albite

• Beryl

• Feldspar

• Mica

• Holtite

• Muscovite

• Microcline

• Samarskite

Geographically, where can tantalite be found?

Mining Locations

Tantalum is found in deposits across various countries, but gem-quality tantalite crystals are almost exclusively sourced from Brazil and Mozambique.

Other significant sources of tantalite specimens for collectors include:

• Australia

• Canada

• France

• Finland

• Madagascar

• Rwanda

• Russia

• Sweden

• USA (California, Connecticut, Virginia, South Dakota)

• Zimbabwe

From the ground to the market, let’s go over what to expect for tantalite pricing.

Pictured above: Vibrant orange-red manganotantalite gemstone

Tantalite Gemstone Price & Value

The price per carat of tantalite gemstones ranges overall from around $50 to over $1,000 per carat.

Here at Gem Rock Auctions, you can find high-quality faceted tantalite gems at prices ranging from about $50 to $250 per carat or about $200 to $3,500 total.

Rough tantalite crystals range even more broadly, from around $10 to $5,000. The priciest tantalite rough specimens are usually red, translucent, large crystals. Small crystals or specimens with darker brown to black coloring are more affordable.

Tantalite Care and Maintenance

Although tantalum is quite durable, tantalite jewelry and gemstones require some special care.

Given their mid-range hardness and cleavage, only get tantalite jewelry with protective settings and avoid sharp blows to the stone.

Though it’s largely corrosion-resistant, we still recommend only cleaning tantalite with the standard mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. Store the stone separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Pictured above: Lustrous, near iridescent, brownish-black tabular tantalite crystal perched on porcelaneous albite crystals, found in Pakistan | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tantalite a gemstone?

Sometimes, yes. Only tantalite-(Mn) is found as gem-quality crystals that can be faceted into gemstones, and these facetable crystals are still rare.

Is tantalite rare?

Relatively, yes. A huge reason that tantalite is valuable is because it’s one of the few minerals that contains tantalum. Tantalum is a pretty rare element — about as rare as uranium — though it’s crucial to many technologies used today.

What is tantalite used for?

Tantalite minerals are the main source of tantalum worldwide. Tantalum is a unique element with benefits like resistance to corrosion from heat or acid, high melting point, high ductility (for shaping), high capacity for electricity storage, no toxicity, and no negative effects on the immune system. Some of the main tantalite uses include:

• Electronics — Primarily capacitors and resistors (Your cell phone probably contains tantalum!)

• Surgical implants — Bone replacement, nerve connection, muscle binding

• Superalloys — Used in jets, nuclear reactors, tanks, etc.

• Pipes & Tubes — Particularly pipes that transport corrosive materials & electron tubes

• Fine Filaments & Wires — Often used in metallurgy for evaporating metals

• Explosive Charges (EFPs) — Used for weaponry, metallurgy, and oil/gas drilling

What is another name for tantalite?

Technically, the proper names for tantalite minerals according to the IMA are tantalite-(Fe), tantalite-(Mn), and tantalite-(Mg). Other names for tantalite used in the past include ferrocolumbite, polybrookite, tantalo-niobate, ildefonsite, and pseudo-ixiolite. Tantalum- or niobium-bearing minerals are often referred to under the “columbite-tantalite” umbrella.

What is the difference between tantalum and tantalite?

Tantalum is a chemical element that’s never found pure in nature, though it can be extracted and purified. Tantalite refers to the group of minerals that contain tantalum as a primary component of their makeup.

Pictured above: Brownish-red faceted tantalite

Tantalized by Tantalite?

Most folks are more familiar with tantalum than tantalite, but tantalite is equally if not more fascinating. Not only is tantalite the way multiple elements were discovered, but it’s also a gorgeous crystal with a whole host of important uses and spiritual benefits.

You don’t have to be like the stone’s namesake — we have plenty of beautiful tantalite gemstones within reach!

Buy tantalite gemstones today!

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