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Fersmite

Big Photo

Alpe Rosso, Orcesco, Druogno, Vigezzo Valley, Ossola Valley, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
© D.Preite

Show Fersmite Photos (28)
Formula:
(Ca,Ce,Na)(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH,F)
 
6
System:OrthorhombicHardness:4 - 4½
Name:
Named in honour of academic A. E. Fersman (1883-1945).
This page provides mineralogical data about Fersmite.

Classification of Fersmite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/D.19-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DG.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
G : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.3.3.1

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
Hey's CIM Ref.:18.2.12

18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U
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Type Occurrence of Fersmite

Type Locality:Vein No. 37A, Buldym Lake, Vishnevye (Vishnyovye) Mts, Chelyabinsk Oblast', Southern Urals, Urals Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1946

Physical Properties of Fersmite

Hardness (Mohs):4 - 4½

Crystallography of Fersmite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 15.02Å, b = 5.73Å, c = 5.22Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.621 : 1 : 0.911
Unit Cell Volume:V 449.26 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Fersmite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 2.070 nβ = 2.080 nγ = 2.190
2V:Measured: 20° to 25°, Calculated: 36°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.120

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

Chemical Properties of Fersmite

Formula:
(Ca,Ce,Na)(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH,F)
 
6
Essential elements:Ca, Nb, O
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Ce, F, H, Na, Nb, O, Ta, Ti

Relationship of Fersmite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.DG.05Euxenite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DG.05Kobeite-(Y)
(Y,Zr)
 
2
(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DG.05Loranskite-(Y)
(Y,Ce,Ca)ZrTaO
 
6
 (?)
4.DG.05Polycrase-(Y)
(Y,U)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DG.05Tanteuxenite-(Y)
(Y,Ce,Ca)(Ta,Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DG.05Uranopolycrase
(U
4+
 
,Y)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DG.05Yttrocrasite-(Y)
(Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DG.10β-Fergusonite-(Y)
YNbO
 
4
4.DG.10β-Fergusonite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce)NbO
 
4
4.DG.10β-Fergusonite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd)NbO
 
4
4.DG.10Yttrotantalite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,U
4+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DG.10Beta-Fergusonite-(Nd)
4.DG.15Foordite
(Sn,Pb)(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DG.15Thoreaulite
SnTa
 
2
O
 
6
4.DG.20Raspite
PbWO
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
18.2.1Fergusonite-(Y)
YNbO
 
4
18.2.2β-Fergusonite-(Y)
YNbO
 
4
18.2.3Fergusonite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd)NbO
 
4
18.2.4β-Fergusonite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd)NbO
 
4
18.2.5Fergusonite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce)(Nb,Ti)O
 
4
18.2.6β-Fergusonite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce)NbO
 
4
18.2.7Formanite-(Y)
YTaO
 
4
18.2.8Pyrochlore
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
18.2.9Ceriopyrochlore-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca,Y)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
18.2.10Strontiopyrochlore
(Sr,Ce,Ca)
 
2-x
(Nb,Fe)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
18.2.11Loparite-(Ce)
(Na,Ce,Ca,Sr,Th)(Ti,Nb,Fe)O
 
3
18.2.13Aeschynite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca,Fe,Th)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
18.2.14Aeschynite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
18.2.15Aeschynite-(Y)
(Y,Ca,Fe,Th)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
18.2.16Nioboaeschynite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca,Th)(Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
18.2.17Nioboaeschynite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Ca,Th)(Nb,Ti,Fe,Ta)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
18.2.18Tantalaeschynite-(Y)
(Y,Ce,Ca)(Ta,Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
18.2.19Vigezzite
(Ca,Ce)(Nb,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
18.2.20Murataite-(Y)
(Na,Y)
 
4
(Zn,Fe)
 
3
(Ti,Nb)
 
6
O
 
18
(F,OH)
 
4

Other Names for Fersmite

Other Languages:
German:Fersmit
Russian:Ферсмит
Spanish:Fersmita

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 Fersmite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 32: 373.

Internet Links for Fersmite

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  • Look for Fersmite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Fersmite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Fersmite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Fersmite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Fersmite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
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    (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.
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Deutschlandsberg
          • St Oswald
    		Postl, W. & Moser, B. (1987)
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Paraíba
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Pedra Lavrada
    		Beurlen, H., Da Silva, M.R.R., Thomas, R., Soares, D.R., and Olivier, P. (2008): Mineralium Deposita 43, 207-228.
    Canada
     
    • British Columbia
      • Golden Mining Division
        • Radium Hot Springs
      • Kamloops Mining Division
        • Blue River
          • Verity claim
    		Blue River Carbonatites, British Columbia- Primary Exploration Targets for Tantalum, G.J. Simandle,P.C. Jones, M. Rotella Exploration and Mining in British Columbia - 2001, B. C. Mines Report, pg 123-131 (http://www.commerceresources.com/i/pdf/05-BCGOVRREPORT.pdf)
      • Omenica Mining Division
        • Williston Lake
    		www.em.gov.bc.ca/DL/GSBPubs/GeoFldWk/1986/283-289-mader.pdf.
    China
     
    • Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
      • Baotou League
        • Darhan Muminggan United Banner
          • Bayan Obo
            • Bayan Obo (Bayun-Obo; Baiyunebo) deposit
    		Zhang Peishan, Yang Zhuming, Tao Kejie, and Yang Xueming (1996): Mineralogy and Geology of Rare Earths in China. Science Press (Beijing), pp. 226.
    Zhang Peishan, Yang Zhuming, Tao Kejie, and Yang Xueming (1996): \"Mineralogy and Geology of Rare Earths in China\", Science Press (Beijing), 226 pp.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Olomouc Region
        • Šumperk (Mährisch Schönberg)
          • Maršíkov
    		Novák, M.: Maršíkov - Schinderhübel. In Exkurzní průvodce po mineralogických lokalitách na Sobotínsku. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, 2002, Olomouc, s. 34-37.
    Sejkora, J.: Některé zajímavé nálezy nerostů v pegmatitech České republiky. Minerál, 1993, roč. 1, č. 3, s. 22-23.; Novák, M.: Maršíkov - Scheibengraben. In Exkurzní průvodce po mineralogických lokalitách na Sobotínsku. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, 2002, Olomouc, s. 38-41.
    Germany
     
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Laach lake volcanic complex
          • Kruft
    		Hentschel, G., Die Minerale in Auswürflingen des Laacher -See –Vulkans, Der Aufschluss, SB 33, 65-105, 1990
          • Mendig
            • Niedermendig
    		Hentschel, G., Die Minerale in Auswürflingen des Laacher -See –Vulkans, Der Aufschluss, SB 33, 65-105, 1990
    Hentschel, G., Die Minerale in Auswürflingen des Laacher -See –Vulkans, Der Aufschluss, SB 33, 65-105, 1990
              • Wingertsberg Mt.
    		Hentschel, G., Die Minerale in Auswürflingen des Laacher -See –Vulkans, Der Aufschluss, SB 33, 65-105, 1990
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa (West Greenland) Province
      • Narsaq
        • Ilimaussaq complex
          • Tasseq area
    		Bohse, H., Petersen, O., Niedermayr, G. (2001): Notes on Leucophanite from the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 190, 119-121
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Vigezzo Valley
            • Craveggia
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007): Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
            • Druogno
              • Orcesco
            • Trontano
    		Mattioli V. (1987) - Novità mineralogiche in Val d'Ossola - Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, Milano, fasc. 1, pp.1-11
    Callegari A., Vanini F., 2002. La fersmite della pegmatite di Rio Graia. Riv. Mineral. Ital., 26 (4): 212-215.
    • Sardinia
      • Olbia-Tempio Pausania Province
        • Telti
    		Gamboni, A., Gelosa, M., Gamboni, T. (2001): Ortoclasio ed altri minerali delle pegmatiti di S. Bachisio, Telti, Gallura, Sardegna N.E. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 1/2001, 30-40
    Madagascar
     
    • Antananarivo Province
      • Vakinankaratra Region (Betafo - Antsirabé region)
        • Betafo Department
          • Ambohimanambola Commune
            • Mount Ikaka
    		Extra Lapis nr 17. Madagascar p 56-59 (german edition)
    De Vito et al (2006), Canadian Mineralogist: 44: 87-103.
    Mongolia
     
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    		P.M. Kartashov data
          • Mount Ulyn Khuren
    		Kartashov P.M., Voloshin A.V., PakhomovskiiYa.A. On the zonal crystaline gadolinite from the alkaline granite pegmatites of Haldzan Buragtag (Mongolian Altai), - Zapiski VMO, 1993,N3,p. 65-79.
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Norway
     
    • Aust-Agder
      • Evje og Hornnes
        • Landsverk
    		Larsen, A. O. (2001): "Ein Neufund für Norwegen: Fersmite vom Pegmatite "Landsverk 1" bei Evje" Mineralien-Welt, no 3, pp. 48-50.
      • Iveland
        • Frikstad (Frigstad)
    		Nordrum, F.S. (2008): Nyfunn av mineraler i Norge 2007-2008. STEIN 35 (2),p.15.
    • Telemark
      • Nome
        • Fen complex
    		A.H. Van der Veen (1963); Neumann (1985, p. 79).
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Ząbkowice District
        • Ząbkowice (Frankenstein)
          • Szklary (Gläsendorf)
    		Pieczka A. 2006: An unusual manganoan apatite from the Szklary pegmatite (Lower Silesia, Poland). Mineralogia Polonica - Special Papers, vol. 28, 178-180
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Vitim Plateau
            • Biraya and Bya Rivers confluence area (Chara Basin)
    		C. Lemanski, Jr. (re-entry of lost Mindat data).
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Afrikanda
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Chelyabinsk Oblast'
    Nedosekova, I.L. (2007): Geology of Ore Deposits 49(2), 129-146.
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
      • Southern Low Tatra Mts
        • Brusno
    		Uher, P. ,Černý, P., 1998 : Vzácnoprvková mineralizácia v granitových pegmatitoch Nízkych Tatier. Mineralia Slovaca, 30, 2,93 – 94
    • Trnava Region
      • Southwestern Považský Inovec Mts
    		Uher, P., Broska, I., 1989: Muskovitický pegmatit s obsahom minerálov vzácnych prvkov při Moravanoch n.V. (Považský Inovec). Min.Slovaca, 21,2,163 – 174
    South Africa
     
    • Limpopo Province
      • Thabazimbi
        • Glenover carbonatite
    		Minerals of South Africa
    South Korea
     
    • Chungcheongbukdo (Chungchong-pukto)
      • Chungju (Chung Won Kum; Chung-ju)
        • Joongwon-gun
          • Mt. Eorae
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arkansas
    		Howard, 1987. Mineral Species of Arkansas, addenda
        • Little Rock
    • California
    		San Diego Natural History Museum
        • Mesa Grande District
          • Gem Hill
    		Rocks and Mineral: 1998: 168 & 178, Figure 30.
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Gem Park Area
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 16, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Larimer Co.
        • Crystal Mountain Pegmatite District (Storm Mountain District)
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Montana
      • Ravalli Co.
        • Bitterroot Base Line
          • Alta
    		Am Min (1959) 44:1-8
    • New Hampshire
      • Carroll Co.
        • Albany
    		Nashua Min. Soc. Display Cat., 1995
    • North Carolina
      • Cleveland Co.
        • Kings Mountain District
    		Rocks and Minerals, November-December, 1975.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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