Columbite-(Fe) is a black, heavy oxide mineral often found in granitic pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic tabular crystal habits and heavy weight, which help distinguish it from visually similar minerals like tantalite and ilmenite.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Submetallic

Streak

Blackish brown

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommonColumbite Group family

Columbite-(Fe)

Also: Ferrocolumbite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Submetallic
Streak: Blackish brown
Transparency: Translucent

Is this columbite-(fe)?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch columbite-(fe) with a known reference. Columbite-(Fe) sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: blackish brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: black, brownish black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, striated.

Often confused with

Columbite-(Fe) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Tantalite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Columbite-(Fe) leaves blackish brown, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown.

How to tell apart: Columbite-(Fe) is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Columbite-(Fe) leaves blackish brown, Wolframite leaves reddish brown.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Columbite-(Fe) leaves blackish brown, Ilmenite leaves black to reddish brown; luster reads submetallic on Columbite-(Fe) and metallic to submetallic on Ilmenite.

Compare →

Often found alongside columbite-(fe)

Minerals reported to co-occur with columbite-(fe). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: FeNb₂O₆
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 5.2-6.5 g/cm³
Colors: Black Brownish black
Streak: Blackish brown
Luster: Submetallic
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Massive, striated
Cleavage: Distinct on {010}
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Ore of niobium, Collector
Host rock: Pegmatites, and alluvial deposits

Where rockhounds find columbite-(fe)

Classic worldwide localities

M'buye Mine, Rwanda (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Pegmatites, and alluvial deposits. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify columbite-(fe)?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: submetallic. The streak is blackish brown. Common colors include black, brownish black.

Where is columbite-(fe) found?+

Notable localities include M'buye Mine, Rwanda (type locality).

Is columbite-(fe) safe to handle?+

Contains minor amounts of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium; wash hands after handling and avoid inhaling dust when cleaning or prepping.

What rocks look like columbite-(fe)?+

Columbite-(Fe) is most often confused with Tantalite, Wolframite, Ilmenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with columbite-(fe)?+

Columbite-(Fe) commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Microcline, Albite, Beryl, Muscovite, Zircon. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does columbite-(fe) form in?+

Where it forms: Pegmatites, and alluvial deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is columbite-(fe) used for?+

Columbite-(Fe) is used in ore of niobium, collector.

Find columbite-(fe) on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.