Manganotantalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

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.

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.

Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com

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