Tantalite-(Mn) (rare) Fioravanti Coll.

Item Description

This mine was the world's major supplier of tantalite during the twentieth century until its depletion by 1994 (MINDAT). Specimens of any variety are RARE from this pegmatite. A blocky, sharp, battleship-gray crystal with moderate luster has a flat termination. A textbook, pristine crystal from this well-known Australian locale from the Giancarlo Fioravanti Collection and purchased in 1965 from American mineral dealer David New for $20. Not cheap in those days! Hefty tantalum ore for its size at 111 grams.