Columbite-(Mn) is a heavy, dark-colored mineral typically found in granitic pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic submetallic luster and sharp, tabular or prismatic crystal habits often embedded in quartz or feldspar matrices.
Is this columbite-(mn)?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch columbite-(mn) with a known reference. Columbite-(Mn) sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Columbite-(Mn) leaves a dark red to black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Columbite-(Mn) typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular, prismatic, or blocky crystals.
Often confused with
Columbite-(Mn) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Columbite-(Mn) is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4-4.5); streak differs — Columbite-(Mn) leaves dark red to black, Wolframite leaves dark brown to black; luster reads submetallic on Columbite-(Mn) and submetallic to metallic on Wolframite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Columbite-(Mn) leaves dark red to black, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads submetallic on Columbite-(Mn) and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
Often found alongside columbite-(mn)
Minerals reported to co-occur with columbite-(mn). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 5.2-5.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Dark Red to Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular, Prismatic, Or Blocky Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Niobium, Ore of Tantalum
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find columbite-(mn)
Classic worldwide localities
- Norway
- Brazil
- USA
- Madagascar
- Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where columbite-(mn) typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, albite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular, prismatic, or blocky crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify columbite-(mn)?+
Where is columbite-(mn) found?+
How much is columbite-(mn) worth?+
Is columbite-(mn) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like columbite-(mn)?+
What minerals are found with columbite-(mn)?+
What kind of rock does columbite-(mn) form in?+
What is columbite-(mn) used for?+
Find columbite-(mn) on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
