Stibiotantalite is a rare antimony-tantalum oxide typically found in complex granite pegmatites. It is sought after by collectors for its high refractive index and adamantine luster, often appearing as wedge-shaped or flattened prismatic crystals.
Is this stibiotantalite?
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 stibiotantalite with a known reference. Stibiotantalite 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. Stibiotantalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stibiotantalite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, tan, colorless, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular, or massive.
Often confused with
Stibiotantalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stibiotantalite leaves white, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads adamantine on Stibiotantalite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Stibiotantalite and vitreous on Scheelite.
Often found alongside stibiotantalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stibiotantalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SbTaO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 7.3-7.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Tabular, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find stibiotantalite
Classic worldwide localities
- California, USA
- Brazil
- Madagascar
- Mozambique
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where stibiotantalite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, lepidolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, tabular, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stibiotantalite?+
Where is stibiotantalite found?+
How much is stibiotantalite worth?+
Is stibiotantalite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like stibiotantalite?+
What minerals are found with stibiotantalite?+
What kind of rock does stibiotantalite form in?+
What is stibiotantalite used for?+
Find stibiotantalite on the map
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