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columbite
EntityQ899841· pop 33· linked from 178 articles

Also known as Yttrocolumbite, columbite-(metal) series, columbite series, columbate, niobite, niobite-tantalite

Columbite, also called niobite, niobite-tantalite and columbate, with a general chemical formula of , is a black mineral group that is an ore of niobium. It has a submetallic luster, a high density, and is a niobate of iron and manganese. Niobite has many applications in aerospace, construction and the medical industry. Dating columbite minerals is primarily completed by uranium–lead dating, a slow process.

Key facts

Mineral.name
Columbite
Mineral.category
Oxide minerals
Mineral.image
Columbite-75444.jpg
Mineral.imagesize
260px
Mineral.formula
{{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})Nb2O6}}, or in oxide formula {{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})O*Nb2O5}}
Mineral.IMAsymbol
Clb
Mineral.strunz
4.DB.35
Mineral.system
Orthorhombic
Mineral.class
Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Mineral.symmetry
Pbcn
Mineral.color
Black, brownish black.
Mineral.habit
Massive – granular – common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock; Striated - parallel lines on crystal surface or cleavage face.
Mineral.cleavage
[010] Distinct
Mineral.fracture
Sub-conchoidal: fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by semi-curving surfaces.
Mineral.mohs
6
Mineral.luster
Sub-metallic
Mineral.opticalprop
Biaxial (+), b = 2.29–2.4
Mineral.streak
Blackish brown

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image
Columbite-75444.jpg
Show 2 more facts
Commons category
Columbite
Mohs' hardness
6
Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~11 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • History and etymology
  • Columbite species
  • Structure
  • Applications
  • Formation
  • Environmental impact
  • Dating
  • Artisanal and small-scale mining
  • Further reading
  • See also
  • References
  • External links

{{Infobox mineral | name = Columbite | category = Oxide minerals | boxwidth = | boxbgcolor = | image = Columbite-75444.jpg | imagesize = 260px | caption = | formula = {{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})Nb2O6}}, or in oxide formula {{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})O*Nb2O5}} | IMAsymbol=Clb | molweight = | strunz = 4.DB.35 | system = Orthorhombic | class = Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) | symmetry = Pbcn | color = Black, brownish black. | habit = Massive – granular – common texture observed in granite and other igneous rock; Striated - parallel lines on crystal surface or cleavage face. | cleavage = [010] Distinct | fracture = Sub-conchoidal: fractures developed in brittle materials characterized by semi-curving surfaces. | mohs = 6 | luster = Sub-metallic | refractive = | opticalprop = Biaxial (+), b = 2.29–2.4 | birefringence = | pleochroism = | streak = Blackish brown | gravity = 5.3–7.3 | melt = | fusibility = | diagnostic = | solubility = | diaphaneity = | other = 25px Radioactive, non-fluorescent. | references =

}} Columbite, also called niobite, niobite-tantalite and columbate, with a general chemical formula of {{chem2|(Fe^{II},Mn^{II})Nb2O6|auto=yes}}, is a black mineral group that is an ore of niobium. It has a submetallic luster, a high density, and is a niobate of iron and manganese. Niobite has many applications in aerospace, construction and the medical industry. Dating columbite minerals is primarily completed by uranium–lead dating, a slow process.

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