COLUMBITE
Specimen clm-1

Dims: 2.3 x 1.6 x 1.0" (5.8 x 4.1 x 2.6 cm)

Wt: 8.0 oz. (228 g)

Londonderry, Western Australia

The largest Columbite crystal that I have yet seen comprises this hand specimen- apart from a small amount of white host rock and a small book of mica, it consists entirely of Columbite. The crystal is in fair condition, as it shows substantial old breakage and is not quite complete, and its orthorhombic prismatic form is warped. The crystal is black in color, has a dull, waxy luster, and is, of course, opaque.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.2 x 0.8" (3.5 x 3.1 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 19 g

Darrah Pech, Kunar Province, Afghanistan

Two Columbite blades are partly embedded in the aquamarine base of this large thumbnail specimen. These crystals have dimensions of 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.1" (1.1 x 0.8 x 0.1 cm) and 0.3 x 0.2 x 0.1" (7 x 5 x 1 mm), and both are in excellent condition, showing no fresh damage. Their orthorhombic bladed form is quite good, and each one has a brown-black coloration and a greasy-to-pearly luster. They are accompanied by several small albite blades that are also embedded in the aquamarine base. This base has a few partial crystal faces and shows no fresh damage- even its broken areas have undergone partial healing. It is cloudy but has a beautiful pale blue color.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.1 x 0.8" (3.5 x 2.8 x 2.1 cm)

Wt: 1.2 oz. (35 g)

Nuristan, Afghanistan

A single, moderately well-formed Columbite crystal makes up the bulk of this hand specimen. The crystal has dimensions of 1.3 x 1.1 x 0.4" (3.2 x 2.8 x 1.0 cm) and though it has been broken, it has been repaired quite well. Its orthorhombic prismatic form is not quite complete but is still quite good, and its nearly black color with red highlights makes me think that it is of the variety Manganocolumbite. Its submetallic luster is standard for the specie and it is essentially opaque. A few broken mica books and some broken feldspar are attached.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.3 x 0.9" (4.4 x 3.3 x 2.4 cm)

Wt: 4.0 oz. (114 g)

Golconda Mine, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This piece consists of a single, loose Columbite crystal that is in good condition, showing light fresh damage only at its base. Its orthorhombic prismatic form is moderately well-defined, though the crystal is somewhat warped and shows considerable healed damage. Its gray-black color and dull, submetallic luster are standard for its specie. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 1.3 x 0.9 x 0.8" (3.2 x 2.3 x 1.9 cm)

Wt: 1.6 oz. (45 g)

Spargoville, Western Australia

This large thumbnail piece consists of a single Columbite crystal that is in good condition, showing only a small amount of fresh damage. Its orthorhombic form is well-defined but somewhat warped, and it has the standard black color and a dull, pearly-to-waxy luster. It is slightly rust-stained in some areas, and a small amount of quartz or feldspar is attached.

Dims: 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.5" (3.1 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm)

Wt: 1.4 oz. (40 g)

Spargoville, Western Australia

A single Columbite crystal comprises this thumbnail specimen. It is in excellent condition, showing no fresh damage, and has excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, though old damage has destroyed a few edges. It has the standard black color of the specie and a dull, waxy luster, and is rust-stained and completely opaque. A small amount of either broken quartz or feldspar is present, but this is not appreciable.