Stibiocolumbite is a rare member of the stibiotantalite-stibiocolumbite series, typically found in highly evolved granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic resinous luster and tabular to prismatic crystal forms, which often appear in shades of yellow or brown.
Is this stibiocolumbite?
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 stibiocolumbite with a known reference. Stibiocolumbite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stibiocolumbite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stibiocolumbite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, greenish-yellow, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular to prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Stibiocolumbite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Stibiocolumbite and adamantine on Stibiotantalite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Stibiocolumbite and adamantine on Cassiterite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Stibiocolumbite and vitreous on Scheelite.
Often found alongside stibiocolumbite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stibiocolumbite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SbNbO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 6.2-6.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on crystal size and clarity
Where rockhounds find stibiocolumbite
Classic worldwide localities
- Varutrask, Sweden
- Mesa Grande, California, USA
- Alto Ligonha, Mozambique
- Bikita, Zimbabwe
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where stibiocolumbite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stibiocolumbite?+
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Find stibiocolumbite on the map
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