Ferrowodginite is an extremely rare tantalum oxide mineral typically found in complex, highly fractionated granite pegmatites. It usually forms as small, dark, submetallic crystals associated with other rare earth and tantalum-bearing minerals.
Is this ferrowodginite?
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 ferrowodginite with a known reference. Ferrowodginite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ferrowodginite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ferrowodginite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: equant to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Ferrowodginite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ferrowodginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ferrowodginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Ta₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 7.3-7.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Equant to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find ferrowodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wodgina, Western Australia
- Tanco Mine, Manitoba, Canada
- Karibib, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where ferrowodginite typically forms. If you start seeing albite, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ferrowodginite?+
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Find ferrowodginite on the map
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