Columbite-(Fe)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Columbite-(Fe)
Formula:
Fe2+Nb2O6
Colour:
Black to brownish black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
5.2 - 6.65
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1801 by Charles Hatchett (1765-1847) from a specimen collected in the mid-17th century in a place called Nautneague (now regarded as Haddam, Connecticut, USA). The specimen was from the mineral collection of John Winthrop (1606–1676), governor of Connecticut and was given to Hans Sloane by John Winthrop (1681–1747) who was the grandson of the governor with the same name. From the type specimen, Hatchett named the new element columbium (now called niobium). The current species, columbite-(Fe) retains the old root name and has the suffix -(Fe) to indicate the dominance of iron in the species. Columbite was the second species named from the USA, after celestine (q.v.)
Columbite-(Fe)-Tantalite-(Fe) Series and the Columbite-(Fe)-Columbite-(Mn) Series.
Formerly known as columbite and ferrocolumbite.
Compare also ixiolite.
Formerly known as columbite and ferrocolumbite.
Compare also ixiolite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1514
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1514:7
Similar Names
| Calamaite | A valid IMA mineral species | Na2TiO(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| Calamite | A synonym of Tremolite | |
| Colimaite | A valid IMA mineral species | K3VS4 |
| Colomite | A synonym of Roscoelite | |
| Columbite | A synonym of 'Columbite-(Fe)-Columbite-(Mn) Series' | |
| Columbite-(Fe)-Tantalite-(Fe) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals | |
| Columbite-(Mg) | A valid IMA mineral species | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 |
| Columbite-(Mn) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
| Columbite-(Mn)-Tantalite-(Mn) Series | A solid-solution series between two end-member minerals | |
| Kolumbite | A synonym of 'Columbite' | |
| Kolymite | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu7Hg6 |
IMA Classification of Columbite-(Fe)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+Nb5+2O6
Classification of Columbite-(Fe)
4.DB.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
B : With medium-sized cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
8.3.2.2
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
18.1.42
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
1 : Niobates and tantalates containing neither rare earths nor U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Clb-Fe | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Clf | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Columbite-(Fe)
Vitreous, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Comment:
Commonly tarnishes to iridescent.
Colour:
Black to brownish black
Comment:
Reddish brown in transmitted light.
Streak:
Black to dark brown.
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=652 - 739 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct on {100}, less distinct on {010}
Distinct on {100}, less distinct on {010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
5.2 - 6.65 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.43 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Columbite-(Fe)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Dispersion:
relatively strong r < v
Colour in reflected light:
Grayish white with brownish tint
Internal Reflections:
Reddish
Chemistry of Columbite-(Fe)
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Nb2O6
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Proterozoic : 1082.3 ± 4.5 Ma to 908.9 ± 1.4 Ma - based on 9 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MgO | 0,63 % | 0,56 % | ||
| MnO | 6,57 % | 6,69 % | 5.32 % | 5.82 % |
| FeO | 10,55 % | 11,13 % | 14.44 % | 13.46 % |
| Sc2O3 | 1,69 % | 1,38 % | ||
| TiO2 | 2,38 % | 2,35 % | 1.64 % | 0.36 % |
| Nb2O5 | 68,82 % | 68,84 % | 43.74 % | 56.15 % |
| Ta2O5 | 9,01 % | 9,18 % | 27.99 % | 19.55 % |
| SnO2 | 3.79 % | |||
| WO3 | 0.89 % | |||
| U3O8 | 0.08 % | |||
| Total: | 96 % | 97 % | 97.89 % | 95.34 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atagoyama, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan | ||
| 2 | " " | ||
| 3 | Kawadgaon-Challanpara pegmatite field, Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh, India | Singh, Yamuna, Pandit, P. S. C., Bagora, Sanjay, Jain, P. K. (2017) Mineralogy, geochemistry, and genesis of co-genetic granite-pegmatite-hosted rare metal and rare earth deposits of the Kawadgaon area, Bastar craton, Central India. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 89 (2) 115-130 doi:10.1007/s12594-017-0574-2 | Columbite-(Fe) from a granite pegmatite. EMPA analysis |
| 4 | Marlagalla-Allapatna, Mandya District, Karnataka, India | The sample is EMPA analysed from 9 spots from core to rim. The Fe/Mn and Nb/Ta ratioes are variable, but all corresponds to columbite-(Fe). This analysis is from the core of the sample. |
Crystallography of Columbite-(Fe)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.266(1) Å, b = 5.7321(4) Å, c = 5.0503(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.489 : 1 : 0.881
Unit Cell V:
412.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Short prismatic or equant also flat tabular
Twinning:
Common on {021} and {023}
Comment:
Strong subcell has a/3.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0008842 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M, Pistorino M, Domeneghetti M C (2003) High-temperature X-ray investigation of natural columbites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 590-598 | 2003 | San Jose de Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018629 | Columbite-(Fe) | dos Santos C A, Zawislak L I, Kinast E J, Antonietti V, da Cunha J B M (2001) Crystal chemistry and structure of the orthorhombic (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O6 family of compounds Brazilian Journal of Physics 31 616-631 | 2001 | Brazil | 0 | 293 | |
| 0008843 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M, Pistorino M, Domeneghetti M C (2003) High-temperature X-ray investigation of natural columbites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 590-598 | 2003 | San Jose de Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 573 | |
| 0008844 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M, Pistorino M, Domeneghetti M C (2003) High-temperature X-ray investigation of natural columbites Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 30 590-598 | 2003 | San Jose de Safira, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 873 | |
| 0003851 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 |  | 2005 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003848 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0003847 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0001436 | Columbite-(Fe) | Wenger M, Armbruster T, Geiger C A (1991) Cation distribution in partially ordered columbite from the Kings Mountain pegmatite, North Carolina American Mineralogist 76 1897-1904 | | 1991 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0016267 | Columbite-(Fe) | Bordet P, McHale A, Santoro A, Roth R (1986) Powder neutron diffraction study of ZrTiO4, Zr5Ti7O24 and FeNb2O6 _cod_database_code 1008356 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 64 30-46 | 1986 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0001435 | Columbite-(Fe) | Wenger M, Armbruster T, Geiger C A (1991) Cation distribution in partially ordered columbite from the Kings Mountain pegmatite, North Carolina American Mineralogist 76 1897-1904 | | 1991 | 0 | 100 | |
| 0003852 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 873 | |
| 0003854 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 923 | |
| 0003853 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 923 | |
| 0003856 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 973 | |
| 0003855 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 973 | |
| 0003858 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 1073 | |
| 0003857 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 1073 | |
| 0003859 | Columbite-(Fe) | Tarantino S C, Zema M (2005) Mixing and ordering behavior in manganocolumbite-ferrocolumbite solid solution: A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study American Mineralogist 90 1291-1300 | | 2005 | 0 | 1223 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Accessory mineral in granitic pegmatites, rarely in carbonatites and as placer deposits.
Type Occurrence of Columbite-(Fe)
Synonyms of Columbite-(Fe)
Columbite-Tantalite (in part)
Tantalo-niobate (in part)
Other Language Names for Columbite-(Fe)
Dutch:Columbiet-(Fe)
German:Columbit-(Fe)
Ferrocolumbit
Ferrocolumbit
Italian:Ferrocolumbite
Japanese:鉄コルンブ石
Russian:Ферроколумбит
Simplified Chinese:铌铁矿
Spanish:Ferrocolumbita
Traditional Chinese:鈮鐵礦
Varieties of Columbite-(Fe)
Relationship of Columbite-(Fe) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Columbite Group:
| Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 | Orth. |
| Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Tantalite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
| Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcn |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 238 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 106 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 101 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 53 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 48 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Samarskite-(Y) | YFe3+Nb2O8 |
| 41 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
| 32 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 30 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with 'Cleavelandite' | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 30 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 23 photos of Columbite-(Fe) associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DB. | Tianhongqiite | CrTiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB. | Nioboheftetjernite | ScNbO4 |
| 4.DB. | Huangshanite | Fe3+TaO4 |
| 4.DB. | Nioboixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Nb0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB. | Sakhanaiskite | (Fe2+Ti)Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB. | Shakhdaraite-(Y) | ScYNb2O8 |
| 4.DB.05 | Varlamoffite | Sn1-xFexO2-x(OH) |
| 4.DB.05 | Argutite | GeO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Rutile | TiO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Plattnerite | PbO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tripuhyite | Fe3+Sb5+O4 |
| 4.DB.05 | Tugarinovite | MoO2 |
| 4.DB.05 | Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.10 | Byströmite | MgSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Ordoñezite | ZnSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tredouxite | NiSb2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.10 | Tapiolite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.15a | Paramontroseite | V4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15a | Ramsdellite | Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15b | Akhtenskite | ε-Mn4+O2 |
| 4.DB.15c | Nsutite | (Mn4+,Mn2+)(O,OH)2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Scrutinyite | α-PbO2 |
| 4.DB.20 | Nioboixiolite-([]) | (Nb0.8◻0.2)4+O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ishikawaite | U4+Fe2+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Yttrocolumbite-(Y) | Y(U4+,Fe2+)Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Calciosamarskite | (Ca,U4+)Fe3+(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Yb) | YbFe3+(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Sc) | (Ta0.5Sc0.5)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Ta0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Ixiolite-(Mn2+) | (Ta0.67Mn2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Nioboixiolite-(Fe2+) | (Nb0.67Fe2+0.33)O2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Srilankite | TiO2 |
| 4.DB.25 | Samarskite-(Y) | YFe3+Nb2O8 |
| 4.DB.25 | Nioboixiolite-(Fe3+) | (Nb0.5Fe3+0.5)O2 |
| 4.DB.30 va | Wolframite Group | |
| 4.DB.30 | Rossovskyite | (Fe3+,Ta)(Nb,Ti)O4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Huanzalaite | MgWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Heftetjernite | ScTaO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Hübnerite | MnWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Sanmartinite | (Zn,Fe)WO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | Ferberite | FeWO4 |
| 4.DB.30 | 'Krasnoselskite' | CoWO4 |
| 4.DB.35 | Qitianlingite | (Fe,Mn)2(Nb,Ta)2WO10 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalaeschynite-(Ce) | Ce(TiTa)O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Mn) | Mn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Columbite-(Mg) | (Mg,Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 |
| 4.DB.35 | Tantalite-(Fe) | Fe2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrotitanowodginite | Fe2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | 'Wolframowodginite' | Mn(Mn,Sn,Fe,Ta)(W,Ta,Nb)2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiotantite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Lithiowodginite | LiTa3O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Titanowodginite | Mn2+TiTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Tantalowodginite | (Mn2+0.5◻0.5)TaTa2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Wodginite | Mn2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.40 | Ferrowodginite | Fe2+Sn4+Ta2O8 |
| 4.DB.45 | Tivanite | V3+TiO3(OH) |
| 4.DB.50 | Carmichaelite | (Ti,Cr,Fe)[O2-x(OH)x] |
| 4.DB.55 | Alumotantite | AlTaO4 |
| 4.DB.60 | Biehlite | ((Sb,As)O)2[MoO4] |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Paramagnetic
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Ore source for niobium.
Internet Links for Columbite-(Fe)
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https://www.mindat.org/min-1514.html
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References for Columbite-(Fe)
Reference List:
Ercit, T. Scott, Wise, Michael A., Cerny, Petr (1995) Compositional and structural systematics of the columbite group. American Mineralogist, 80 (5) 613-619 doi:10.2138/am-1995-5-619
Kinast, E. J., Isnard, O., da Cunha, J. B. M., de Vasconcellos, M. A. Z., dos Santos, C. A. (2011) A new approach for the determination of multiple cation locations and ordering, using the example of natural and heat-treated columbites. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 44 (4). 738-746 doi:10.1107/s0021889811023211
Localities for Columbite-(Fe)
Showing 672 localities.
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The Locality List
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- This locality has estimated coordinates.
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? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
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- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA