Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Cliffordite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

San Miguel prospect, Moctezuma, Mun. de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
© Brent Thorne

Show Cliffordite Photos (5)



Formula:
(UO
 
2
)Te
4+
3
O
 
7
System:IsometricColour:Bright sulfur Yellow
Lustre:AdamantineHardness:4
Name:For Clifford Frondel (1907-2002), Harvard University, Massachusetts
This page provides mineralogical data about Cliffordite.

Classification of Cliffordite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.14-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.JK.75

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 8th edition ID:34.3.1.1

34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
3 : A2(XO3)3·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:28.3.18

28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1064.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Cliffordite

Type Locality:San Miguel Mine, Moctezuma, Mun. de Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University, Boston Massachusetts 119079
Year of Discovery:1969

Occurrences of Cliffordite

Geological Setting:Oxidized zones of hydrothermal Au-Ag telluride deposits.

Physical Properties of Cliffordite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Bright sulfur Yellow
Hardness (Mohs):4
Density (measured):6.57 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.77 g/cm3
Comment:On synthetic material.

Crystallography of Cliffordite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3 (2/m 3) - Diploidal
Space Group:Pa3 {P21/a 3}
Cell Parameters:a = 11.42(5) Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,489.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Octahedra crystals, crusts.

Optical Data of Cliffordite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 2.25(2)
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Very High
Comments:On synthetic material

Chemical Properties of Cliffordite

Formula:
(UO
 
2
)Te
4+
3
O
 
7
Essential elements:O, Te, U
All elements listed in formula:O, Te, U
Empirical Formula:
U
6+
 
Te
4+
3
O
 
9

Relationship of Cliffordite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.JK.05Winstanleyite
TiTe
4+
3
O
 
8
4.JK.05Walfordite
(Fe
3+
 
,Te
6+
 
)Te
4+
3
O
 
8
4.JK.10Spiroffite
(Mn,Zn)
 
2
Te
4+
3
O
 
8
4.JK.10Zincospiroffite
Zn
 
2
Te
4+
3
O
 
8
4.JK.15Balyakinite
Cu(TeO
 
3
)
4.JK.20Rajite
Cu(Te
4+
2
O
 
5
)
4.JK.25Carlfriesite
CaTe
4+
2
Te
6+
 
O
 
8
4.JK.30Denningite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca,Zn)Te
4+
2
O
 
5
4.JK.35Chekhovichite
Bi
 
2
Te
4+
4
O
 
11
4.JK.40Smirnite
Bi
 
2
Te
4+
 
O
 
5
4.JK.45Choloalite
(Cu,Sb)
 
3
(Pb,Ca)
 
3
(TeO
 
3
)
 
6
Cl
4.JK.50Fairbankite
Pb(TeO
 
3
)
4.JK.55Plumbotellurite
Pb(TeO
 
3
)
4.JK.60Magnolite
(Hg
+
2
)(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)
4.JK.65Moctezumite
Pb(UO
 
2
)(TeO
 
3
)
 
2
4.JK.70Schmitterite
(UO
 
2
)(TeO
 
3
)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
28.3.1Balyakinite
Cu(TeO
 
3
)
28.3.2Rajite
Cu(Te
4+
2
O
 
5
)
28.3.3Graemite
Cu[TeO
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
28.3.4Teineite
Cu[TeO
 
3
] · 2H
 
2
O
28.3.5Cesbronite
Cu
 
5
(TeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.3.6Mroseite
CaTe
4+
 
(CO
 
3
)O
 
2
28.3.7Quetzalcoatlite
Zn
 
6
Cu
 
3
(TeO
 
6
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · Ag
 
x
Pb
 
y
Cl
 
x+2y
28.3.8Zemannite
Mg(ZnFe)
 
2
(TeO
 
3
)
 
6
·9H
 
2
O
28.3.9Kinichilite
(Fe,Mg,Zn)
 
2
(TeO
 
3
)
 
3
(Na
 
x
H
 
2-x
) · 3H
 
2
O
28.3.10Denningite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca,Zn)Te
4+
2
O
 
5
28.3.11Spiroffite
(Mn,Zn)
 
2
Te
4+
3
O
 
8
28.3.12Winstanleyite
TiTe
4+
3
O
 
8
28.3.13Fairbankite
Pb(TeO
 
3
)
28.3.14Plumbotellurite
Pb(TeO
 
3
)
28.3.15Choloalite
(Cu,Sb)
 
3
(Pb,Ca)
 
3
(TeO
 
3
)
 
6
Cl
28.3.16Smirnite
Bi
 
2
Te
4+
 
O
 
5
28.3.17Chekhovichite
Bi
 
2
Te
4+
4
O
 
11
28.3.19Schmitterite
(UO
 
2
)(TeO
 
3
)
28.3.20Moctezumite
Pb(UO
 
2
)(TeO
 
3
)
 
2
28.3.21Emmonsite
Fe
3+
2
[TeO
 
3
]
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
28.3.22Blakeite
Fe
3+
2
[TeO
 
3
]
 
3
 (?)
28.3.23Mackayite
Fe
3+
 
(Te
4+
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
28.3.24Poughite
Fe
3+
2
(TeO
 
3
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
28.3.25Sonoraite
Fe
3+
 
(TeO
 
3
)(OH) · H
 
2
O
28.3.26Rodalquilarite
H
 
3
Fe
 
2
(TeO
 
3
)
 
4
Cl
28.3.27Eztlite
Pb
 
2
Fe
3+
6
(Te
4+
 
O
 
3
)
 
3
(Te
6+
 
O
 
6
)(OH)
 
10
 · 8H
 
2
O
28.3.28Keystoneite
(Ni,Mg,Fe,Mn)
 
3
Te
 
3
O
 
9
 · 5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Cliffordite

Synonyms:
IMA1966-046
Other Languages:
German:Cliffordit
Russian:Клиффордит
Spanish:Cliffordita

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 Cliffordite

Reference List:

- +
American Mineralogist: 54: 697-701.

American Mineralogist: 57: 597.

Galy, J., and Meunier, G. (1971): A propos de la cliffordite UTe3O8. Le système UO3–TeO2 à 700°C. Structure cristalline de UTe3O9. Acta Crystallographica B27(3), 608-616 (in French).

Brandstätter, F. (1981): Non-stoichiometric, hydrothermally synthesized cliffordite. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 29, 1-8.

Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.

Internet Links for Cliffordite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Cliffordite on Google
  • Look for Cliffordite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Cliffordite on Webmineral
  • Look for Cliffordite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Cliffordite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Cliffordite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Find Cliffordite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Search for - Cliffordite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Cliffordite specimens
  • Pricedownminerals.com - Reverse Auctions and Shop
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Cliffordite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    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.
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Moctezuma
        • Moctezuma
    		Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Amer.Min.(1969) 54, 697-701
    Lapis 2001(1), 11-40
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    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: 19th Jun 2011 10:43:10
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds