Tantalite-(Mn) (superb crystals) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Very well-formed, rather sharp, euhedral orthorhombic crystals of dark blood-red Tantalite-(Mn) (formerly Manganotantalite) measuring up to 1.2 cm sitting on minor feldspar from this tantalum mine in the famous Alto Ligonha District of Mozambique. This area has produced some of the finest crystals of Tantalite-(Mn) in the world in terms of color, sharpness and overall form. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#8690). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record).