Tapiolite-(Fe) (rare) Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Tapiolite-(Fe) is an uncommon REE oxide and is a dimorph of Columbite-Tantalite. This is a rare, sharp, jet-black thumbnail crystal with good form. The contacted face is mostly out-of-sight in the primary display view. The piece is probably from a pegmatite near Governador Valadares. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 9948. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). RARE on the market.