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 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lithiowodginite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lithiowodginite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Lithiowodginite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lithiowodginite leaves yellowish brown, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads submetallic on Lithiowodginite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lithiowodginite leaves yellowish brown, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black.
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
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 7.3-7.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lithiowodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wodgina, Australia
- Tanco Mine, Canada
- Alto Ligonha, Mozambique
- Pieske, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lithiowodginite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lithiowodginite on the map
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