Tantalite-(Mn) (Matioli Coll.)

Item Description

This well-known Brazilian pegmatite is mined for tantalum, but sharp crystals such as this fine piece from the Matioli Collection are very uncommon. The hefty, mottled reddish-brown crystal has very sharp faces and is lustrous. The prismatic orthorhombic crystal has a fine sharp termination. The dinged corner is noted, but this remains a very fine and rare well-crystallized example of the REE species and locale.