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Manganotantalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information


Manganotantalite makes a spectacular red brown gem that is a very rare collector’s item. Transparent material is light enough in color to allow lots of light to enter and leave a cut gem, and properly cut stones are lively and brilliant. Cutting is difficult because of the cleavage.

HomeGemstonesManganotantalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
By Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA, updated on

Series to Manganocolumbite;

Ferrotantalite; Columbotantalite.

Streak: Dark red.

Occurrence: In granite pegmatites; sometimes in placer deposits.

Pala, California;Portland, Connecticut; Amelia, Virginia.

Andilana, Madagascar; Sanarka River, Urals, USSR;

Sweden; Wodgina, Western Australia.

Minas Gerais, Brazil: facetable crystals.

Alta Ligonha, Mozambique: gem quality crystals. A150 from the Morrua Mine, Zambesia.

Comments: Manganotantalite makes a spectacular red brown gem that is a very rare collector's item. Transparent material is light enough in color to allow lots of light to enter and leave a cut gem, and properly cut stones are lively and brilliant. Cutting is difficult because of the cleavage.

Name: After the composition, a manganiferous tantalite.

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