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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 (30)
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)
(Y,Na)
 
6
Zn(Zn,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
(Ti,Nb,Na)
 
12
O
 
29
(O,F,OH)
 
10
F
 
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 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.
    (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 District
          • Ambohimanambola Commune
            • Mount Ikaka
    		Pezzotta, F. (1999): Madagaskar- Da Paradies der Mineralien und Edelsteine. Extra Lapis 17. 56-59
    De Vito et al (2006): Nb-Ti-Ta oxides in the gem-mineralized and "hybrid" Anjanabonoina granitic pegmatite, central Madagascar: A record of magmatic and postmagmatic events. 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
    Google
     
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 27th Oct 2009 09:12:10