Summary: Staringite, (Fe,Mn)_0·5(Sn,Ti)_4·5(Ta,Nb)_1·0O₁₂, occurs as inclusions in tapiolite from pegmatites at Seridózinho and Pedra Lavreda, Paraiba State, NE. Brazil. An indexed powder pattern is presented. The mineral is tetragonal with a 4·742 Å and c 9·535 Å, and most probably has a ‘trirutile’ structure. Electron-microprobe analysis yielded Ta₂O₅ 21·5%, Nb₂O₅ 1·8, SnO₂ 73·3, TiO₂ 0·03, FeO 3·7, MnO 0·3, sum 100·6%. D_calc 7·17. Micro-indentation hardness (load 100 g) 1033–1187 kg/mm²; reflectivity at 470 nm (R₀) 12·8 to (R′_e) 14·5%, at 546 nm 12·1–13·9, at 589 nm 12·0–13·7, and at 650 nm 11·8–13·6; staringite is uniaxial positive.