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 6-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pink.
- 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: Streak differs, so Lithiotantite leaves white, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads adamantine on Lithiotantite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiotantite leaves white, Columbite leaves blackish brown; luster reads adamantine on Lithiotantite and submetallic on Columbite.
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
- LiTa₃O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 7.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In microcline-albite zones of granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find lithiotantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ognevka tantalum deposit, Kalba Mountains, eastern Kazakhstan
- Manono pegmatite, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In microcline-albite zones of granite pegmatites. If you start seeing lepidolite, apatite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive. 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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