Tantalite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Tantalite is too dark to be of use as a faceted gem but is sometimes cut as a collector curiosity, either faceted or in cabochons. These could be of any desired size.
Tantalite is too dark to be of use as a faceted gem but is sometimes cut as a collector curiosity, either faceted or in cabochons. These could be of any desired size.
TANTALITE Series to Columbite: (Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6.
Streak: Black, brownish black, reddish brown.
Optics:a= 2.26; β= 2.30-2.40; γ=2.43.
Biaxial (+), 2VLarge. Usually opaque, indices measured on powders or thin splinters
Spectral: Not diagnostic.
Occurrence: In granite pegmatites.
Colorado; Wyoming; New England.
Canada; Brazil; Madagascar; France; Sweden: Finland; USSR; Zimbabwe; Western Australia.
South Dakota: various localities.
California: various localities.
Comments: Tantalite is too dark to be of use as a faceted gem but is sometimes cut as a collector curiosity, either faceted or in cabochons. These could be of any desired size.
Name: After the mythical character Tantalus, because it is difficult to dissolve the mineral in acids prior to analysis.
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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