Jedwabite is a rare iron tantalum mineral. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1995.
Hardness
7
Mohs
Luster
Metallic
Transparency
Opaque
Is this jedwabite?
4-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 jedwabite with a known reference. Jedwabite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish yellow.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Jedwabite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jedwabite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jedwabite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₇Ta₃
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 8.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- All rights reserved
Where rockhounds find jedwabite
Classic worldwide localities
- Nijniy-Tagil, near Solovjeva mountains (formerly Aurorinsky mine) and Baranchinsky massif near the Aktai River, Middle Urals, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: All rights reserved. If you start seeing native iron, moissanite, ilmenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify jedwabite?+
Mohs hardness is 7. Luster: metallic. Common colors include grayish yellow.
Where is jedwabite found?+
Notable localities include Nijniy-Tagil, near Solovjeva mountains (formerly Aurorinsky mine) and Baranchinsky massif near the Aktai River, Middle Urals, Russia (type locality).
What rocks look like jedwabite?+
Jedwabite is most often confused with Haxonite, Cohenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.
What minerals are found with jedwabite?+
Jedwabite commonly co-occurs with native iron, moissanite, ilmenite, platinum group minerals. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does jedwabite form in?+
Where it forms: All rights reserved. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is jedwabite used for?+
Jedwabite is used in collector, scientific research.
Find jedwabite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
