Tantalcarbide is an extremely rare, hard, and dense mineral often found in association with metallic meteorites or unique heavy mineral placer deposits. It typically occurs as microscopic grains or anhedral inclusions, making it a prized discovery for advanced mineralogists and meteoritic researchers.
Is this tantalcarbide?
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 tantalcarbide with a known reference. Tantalcarbide sits at Mohs 9-10 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tantalcarbide leaves a grey streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tantalcarbide typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, gray, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive.
Often confused with
Tantalcarbide vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tantalcarbide is noticeably harder (Mohs 9-10 vs. 6); streak differs — Tantalcarbide leaves grey, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads metallic on Tantalcarbide and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
How to tell apart: Tantalcarbide is noticeably harder (Mohs 9-10 vs. 6); streak differs — Tantalcarbide leaves grey, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black; luster reads metallic on Tantalcarbide and submetallic on Columbium Ore.
Often found alongside tantalcarbide
Minerals reported to co-occur with tantalcarbide. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- TaC
- Mohs hardness
- 9-10
- Density
- 14.3-14.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grey
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral Grains, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific
- Host rock
- Meteoritic Material, Alluvial Placer Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find tantalcarbide
Classic worldwide localities
- Khatyrka meteorite, Russia
- Koryak-Kamchatka, Russia
- Urals, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in meteoritic material, alluvial placer deposits country — that is the host setting where tantalcarbide typically forms. If you start seeing khatyrkite, cupalite, spinels in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tantalcarbide on the map
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