Columbite | Encyclopedia
columbite (niobite, tantalite) A mineral oxide (Fe,Mn) (Ta,Nb) 2 O 6; when Ta > Nb the mineral is called tantalite, but when Ta < Nb it is called columbite; sp. gr. 5.2–6.5, increasing with increasing Ta content; hardness 6.0–6.5; orthorhombic; weakly magnetic; black or brownish-black; very dark red streak; sub-metallic lustre; crystals ...