Lithiotantite is an extremely rare lithium tantalum oxide mineral primarily found in highly evolved granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, clear to white tabular crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from other rare tantalum-bearing species without laboratory analysis.
Is this lithiotantite?
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 lithiotantite with a known reference. Lithiotantite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lithiotantite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lithiotantite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Lithiotantite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tantalite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4); streak differs — Lithiotantite leaves white, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads vitreous on Lithiotantite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Columbium Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 4); streak differs — Lithiotantite leaves white, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black; luster reads vitreous on Lithiotantite and submetallic on Columbium Ore.
Often found alongside lithiotantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiotantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li(Ta,Nb)₃O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find lithiotantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Alto Ligonha, Mozambique
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lithiotantite typically forms. If you start seeing microlite, beryl, spodumene in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lithiotantite on the map
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