Natrotantite is a rare sodium-tantalum oxide mineral typically found in highly fractionated granite pegmatites. It is often identified by its distinct cubic habit and lack of radioactivity, distinguishing it from the common radioactive members of the pyrochlore group. Collectors typically encounter it as small, pale yellow crystals embedded within complex pegmatitic matrices.
Is this natrotantite?
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 natrotantite with a known reference. Natrotantite sits at Mohs 7, 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.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: equant to subhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Natrotantite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside natrotantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with natrotantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Ta₄O₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 7.705 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant to subhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In albite units of granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find natrotantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Vasin-Myl’k, Voroni massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Alto do Giz pegmatite, near Parelhas, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In albite units of granite pegmatites. If you start seeing simpsonite, alumotantite, microlite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant to subhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify natrotantite?+
Where is natrotantite found?+
What rocks look like natrotantite?+
What minerals are found with natrotantite?+
What kind of rock does natrotantite form in?+
What is natrotantite used for?+
Find natrotantite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
