Min. [f. COLUMBIUM + -ITE.] The native ore of columbium, a black columbate of iron and manganese; niobite.
1805. R. Jameson, Min., II. 583. As it does not contain the metal in a metallic state I have … denominated it Columbite.
1809. Wollaston, in Phil. Trans., XCIX. 247. In appearance the columbite is so like tantalite, that it is extremely difficult to discern a difference that can be relied upon.
1868. Dana, Min., § 474.
