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, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow to yellow-brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: resinous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, brownish yellow, greenish yellow, reddish brown.
- 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: Streak differs, so Stibiocolumbite leaves pale yellow to yellow-brown, Cassiterite leaves white, pale brown, pale gray; luster reads resinous to adamantine on Stibiocolumbite and adamantine to adamantine metallic, splendent; may be greasy on fractures on Cassiterite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Stibiocolumbite leaves pale yellow to yellow-brown, Scheelite leaves white; luster reads resinous to adamantine on Stibiocolumbite and vitreous to adamantine 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
- Density
- 5.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale yellow to yellow-brown
- Luster
- Resinous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- {001}, distinct; {100}, indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare accessory mineral in complex granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find stibiocolumbite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mesa Grande district, San Diego Co., California, USA
- Emd, Mattertal, Valais, Switzerland
- An undisclosed locality in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare accessory mineral in complex granite pegmatites. If you start seeing tourmaline, beryl, lepidolite 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 stibiocolumbite?+
Where is stibiocolumbite found?+
Is stibiocolumbite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like stibiocolumbite?+
What minerals are found with stibiocolumbite?+
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Find stibiocolumbite on the map
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