Mineralpedia Details for Columbite-(Fe)

Formerly called ferrocolumbite, Columbite-Fe is named for the iron (Fe) content and for the niobium content which was formerly called columbium, named in reference to the poetical name for the United States, Columbia, as the element was first discovered in the United States. Localities for Columbite-Fe include in the United States including here in the Black Hills of South Dakota at the Beecher lode and in the Bob Ingersoll, Etta, and White Cap mines, Norway, Russia, Italy, Madagascar, Australia, and Japan among a few others. Columbite-Fe is an uncommon mineral that occurs generally as an accessory mineral in granite pegmatites, but can also be found in carbonatites, and as detritus in placer deposits. It is paramagnetic, and is attracted in the presence of an external magnetic field.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/ferrocolumbite.pdf

Formula

Fe²⁺Nb₂O₆ 

Crystal System

Orthorhombic 

Crystal Habit

Massive - Granular, Striated 

Cleavage

Distinct, None, None 

Luster

Sub Metallic 

Color

black, brownish black 

Streak

blackish brown 

Class

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal 

Fracture

Sub Conchoidal 

Hardness

6 

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1.5cm black, tabular Columbite crystal.

4cm crystal

1 cm crystal

Single, tabular crystal with two good faces and beveled terminations.

A single complete crystal, terminated with deep, typical, striations.