Guide
Tantalite specimens for sale
26 for sale · $60–$5,000 USD
86 in the gallery
Tantalite is the mineral group of iron and tantalum oxides (Ta-Nb oxide series) with the common compositions ferro-tantalite and manganotantalite. Crystals typically form dense, dark to brownish-black aggregates with a submetallic to resinous lustre and a relatively high hardness for an oxide mineral. Collectors prize its strong, lustrous prismatic crystals and the steady demand for specimens that reveal the tantalum-rich chemistry behind many modern electronics.
- Formula
- Fe2+Ta2O6
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
- Classification notes
- Oxide mineral; Ta-Nb oxide group (tantalites)
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Mohs hardness
- 6–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 7.9–8.2
- Luster
- submetallic, resinous
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Color
- black, brown, red
- Streak
- black, brown, red
- Cleavage
- good
- Fracture
- subconchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, tabular, granular, massive
- Classic / historic
Buy Tantalite specimens
View all 26Where Tantalite is found
Top localities
- Elizabeth R. Mine5 specimens
- Afghanistan4 specimens
- Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Field4 specimens
- Equador4 specimens
- Mawi pegmatite3 specimens
- Shengus2 specimens
- Virginia2 specimens
- Pedra Azul pegmatite district2 specimens
- Pakistan1 specimen
- Badakhshan1 specimen
Guides
All guides
Guide
Tantalite from Shigar Valley, Pakistan
Shigar Valley tantalite: glassy-to-submetallic crystals with red translucency; a rare-metal signature of northern Pakistan’s pegmatites, prized against albite.Read guide
Guide
Tantalite from Pala Mining District, San Diego County, USA
Pala tantalite from the San Diego County mining district, rare and sharp with lustrous crystals on matrix, highlights provenance, rarity, and collector appeal.Read guideAbout Tantalite
Notable localities include several classic sources where tantalite-bearing pegmatites and greenschist to metamorphic environments yield well-formed crystals. Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, the USA, and Pakistan appear prominently on specimen lists, reflecting diverse geological settings and crystal habits. Specimens often display sharp edges, complex twinning, and a range of colors from deep black to dark brown, sometimes with contrasting host minerals that enhance display appeal. For collectors, tantalite offers both scientific interest in Ta-rich mineralogy and the challenge of identifying high-quality, well-documented pieces from reputable localities.
