Stibiotantalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Stibiotantalite
Formula:
Sb3+TaO4
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+Ta5+O4
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
relatively strong r
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c
Chemistry of Stibiotantalite
Mindat Formula:
Sb3+TaO4
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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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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 | BiNbO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Bismutotantalite | BiTaO4 | Orth. |
| Cervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Orth. mm2 |
| Clinocervantite | Sb3+Sb5+O4 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 | Orth. mm2 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations 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 | |
| 14 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 | BiNbO4 |
| 4.DE.30 | Stibiocolumbite | SbNbO4 |
| 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.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Stibiotantalite
Reference List:
Penfield, S. L.; Ford, W. P. (1907) Über Stibiotantalit. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 42 (1-6). 334-350 doi:10.1524/zkri.1907.42.1.334
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
Roth, R. S., Waring, J. L. (1963) Synthesis and stability of bismutotantalite, stibiotantalite and chemically similar ABO4 compounds. American Mineralogist, 48 (11-12) 1348-1356
Localities for Stibiotantalite
Showing 72 localities.
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 | |
| [var: Bismuth-bearing Stibiotantalite] 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) | |
| MIM Museum collection |
| imported from Rondu District +1 other reference | |
Poland | |
| Pieczka +5 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 |
| [var: Bismuth-bearing Stibiotantalite] 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