Tantite is a very rare tantalum oxide mineral that typically occurs as small, platy crystals. It is primarily identified through its association with complex granite pegmatites and requires professional laboratory analysis for definitive field identification.
Is this tantite?
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 tantite with a known reference. Tantite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tantite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tantite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Tantite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cassiterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 5); luster reads vitreous on Tantite and adamantine on Cassiterite.
How to tell apart: Columbium Ore is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 5); streak differs — Tantite leaves white, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black; luster reads vitreous on Tantite and submetallic on Columbium Ore.
Often found alongside tantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ta₂O₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find tantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Taharoa, New Zealand
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where tantite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, quartz, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tantite on the map
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