Wodginite is a rare oxide mineral primarily found in complex rare-element granitic pegmatites. It is often visually indistinguishable from members of the columbite-tantalite group without X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis. Collectors typically look for its characteristic submetallic luster and dark, often tabular crystal forms within albitized pegmatite zones.
Is this wodginite?
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 wodginite with a known reference. Wodginite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wodginite leaves a yellowish brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wodginite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, reddish brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to equant crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Wodginite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wodginite leaves yellowish brown, Columbium Ore leaves dark red to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wodginite leaves yellowish brown, Tantalite leaves black to reddish-brown; luster reads submetallic on Wodginite and submetallic to resinous on Tantalite.
Often found alongside wodginite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wodginite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn⁴⁺SnTa₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 7.1-7.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish Brown
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Equant Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Tantalum
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find wodginite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wodgina, Western Australia
- Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Pilbara region, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where wodginite typically forms. If you start seeing albite, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to equant crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wodginite on the map
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