Qitianlingite is a rare niobium-tantalum-tungsten mineral found primarily in granitic pegmatites. It is visually very similar to columbite-group minerals, typically occurring as dark, submetallic tabular crystals that require chemical analysis for definitive identification.
Is this qitianlingite?
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 qitianlingite with a known reference. Qitianlingite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: semimetallic to metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Qitianlingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Qitianlingite leaves dark brown, Columbite leaves blackish brown; luster reads semimetallic to metallic on Qitianlingite and submetallic on Columbite.
How to tell apart: Qitianlingite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5.5 vs. 4.5); streak differs, so Qitianlingite leaves dark brown, Wolframite leaves reddish brown; luster reads semimetallic to metallic on Qitianlingite and submetallic on Wolframite.
Often found alongside qitianlingite
Minerals reported to co-occur with qitianlingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂Nb₂WO₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 6.30 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark brown
- Luster
- Semimetallic to metallic
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- {100}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a pegmatite dike in granite
Where rockhounds find qitianlingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Qitianling, Hunan Province, China (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a pegmatite dike in granite. If you start seeing quartz, potassic feldspar, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify qitianlingite?+
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What rocks look like qitianlingite?+
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Find qitianlingite on the map
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