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Zellerite

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Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal), Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District, Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge), Karlovy Vary Region, Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen), Czech Republic
© Thomas Witzke

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Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Light lemon-yellow
Hardness:2
Name:Named after Howard D. Zeller (b. 1922), geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who discovered the mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Zellerite.

Classification of Zellerite

IMA status:Approved 1965
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.02-60
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EC.10

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
C : UO2:CO3 < 1:1 - 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:15.3.1.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.11.7

11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
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Type Occurrence of Zellerite

Type Locality:Lucky MC mine (Lucky Mac), Gas Hills District, Fremont Co., Wyoming, USA
Year of Discovery:1963

Physical Properties of Zellerite

Lustre:Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Light lemon-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2

Crystallography of Zellerite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 11.22Å, b = 19.25Å, c = 4.93Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.583 : 1 : 0.256
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,064.81 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Zellerite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.536 nβ = 1.559 nγ = 1.697
2V:Measured: 30° to 45°, Calculated: 48°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.161

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:r > v

Chemical Properties of Zellerite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ca, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, H, O, U

Relationship of Zellerite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.EC.05Fontanite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
5.EC.10Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.11.1Stichtite
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
11.11.2Rutherfordine
(UO
 
2
)CO
 
3
11.11.3Joliotite
(UO
 
2
)CO
 
3
 · nH
 
2
O
11.11.4Grimselite
K
 
3
Na(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
11.11.5Bayleyite
Mg
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.6Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.8Wyartite
CaU
5+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)O
 
4
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
11.11.9Urancalcarite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.10Sharpite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.11Voglite
Ca
 
2
Cu(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.12Andersonite
Na
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.13Swartzite
MgCa(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 12H
 
2
O
11.11.14Rabbittite
Ca
 
3
Mg
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.15Kamotoite-(Y)
Y
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
11.11.16Shabaite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Sm,Y)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.17Astrocyanite-(Ce)
Cu
 
2
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
2
 · 1.5H
 
2
O
11.11.18Bijvoetite-(Y)
(Y,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 11H
 
2
O
11.11.19Widenmannite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
11.11.20Znucalite
Zn
 
12
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
22
 · 4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Zellerite

Synonyms:
IMA1965-031
Other Languages:
German:Zellerit
Spanish:Zellerita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Zellerite

Reference List:

- +
New Mexico Bur. Mines Resources, Mem. (1963): 15: 21.

American Mineralogist (1966): 51: 1567-1578.

Internet Links for Zellerite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Zellerite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
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    • Localities for Zellerite

    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		Lapis 2002(7/8), 52
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    [Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 1998, 2, p.13-26]
    USA
     
    • New Mexico
      • McKinley Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
          • Smith Lake area
    		NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region
    • Utah
      • San Juan Co.
        • White Canyon District
          • White Canyon
    		Handbook of Mineralogy, 2005.
    • Wyoming
      • Campbell Co.
    		Jim Hall, from Dr Howard Zeller's personal collection
      • Fremont Co.
        • Gas Hills District
    		Am Min 51:1567-1578
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 18th Jun 2011 23:19:34
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