Lithiowodginite is a rare lithium-tantalum oxide mineral typically found in complex, highly fractionated granite pegmatites. It is often indistinguishable from other members of the wodginite group by sight alone, usually appearing as dark, submetallic grains or tabular crystals associated with lepidolite or albite. Positive identification generally requires X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to tantalite-group minerals.
Is this lithiowodginite?
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 lithiowodginite with a known reference. Lithiowodginite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale pink.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, pink, red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: inclusions, twinning common.
Often confused with
Lithiowodginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiowodginite leaves pale pink, Wodginite leaves brown; luster reads adamantine on Lithiowodginite and submetallic on Wodginite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiowodginite leaves pale pink, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads adamantine on Lithiowodginite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lithiowodginite leaves pale pink, Columbite leaves blackish brown; luster reads adamantine on Lithiowodginite and submetallic on Columbite.
Often found alongside lithiowodginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiowodginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiTa₃O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale pink
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Inclusions, twinning common
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the albite zone of granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find lithiowodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ognevka and Yubileinoye tantalum deposits, Kalba Mountains, eastern Kazakhstan
- Tanco pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the albite zone of granite pegmatites. If you start seeing wodginite, ixiolite, irtyshite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, twinning common. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lithiowodginite?+
Where is lithiowodginite found?+
What rocks look like lithiowodginite?+
What minerals are found with lithiowodginite?+
What kind of rock does lithiowodginite form in?+
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Find lithiowodginite on the map
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