Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Fontanite

Big Photo

Rabejac, Lodève, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
© Luc Vandenberghe

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[CO
 
3
]
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Bright yellow
Hardness:3
Name:For French mineralogist Francois Fontan
This page provides mineralogical data about Fontanite.

Classification of Fontanite

IMA status:Approved 1991
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.02-45
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EC.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
C : UO2:CO3 < 1:1 - 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:15.3.6.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1580.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Fontanite

Type Locality:Rabejac, Lodève, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Year of Discovery:1992

Physical Properties of Fontanite

Colour:Bright yellow
Hardness (Mohs):3

Crystallography of Fontanite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 15.33Å, b = 17.05Å, c = 6.93Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.899 : 1 : 0.406
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,811.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Fontanite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.603 nβ = 1.690 nγ = 1.710
2V:Measured: 50° , Calculated: 48°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.107

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

Chemical Properties of Fontanite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[CO
 
3
]
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ca, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, H, O, U

Relationship of Fontanite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.EC.10Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
5.EC.10Zellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Fontanite

Synonyms:
IMA1991-034
Other Languages:
German:Fontanit
Russian:Фонтанит
Spanish:Fontanita

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 Fontanite

Reference List:New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 4: 1271-1274.

Hughes, K.-A. and Burns, P.C. (2003a) A new uranyl carbonate sheet in the crystal structure of fontanite, Ca[(UO2)3(CO3)2O2](H2O)6. American Mineralogist: 88: 962-966.

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 Fontanite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Fontanite on Google
  • Look for Fontanite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Fontanite on Webmineral
  • Look for Fontanite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Fontanite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Fontanite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Fontanite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Fontanite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Find Fontanite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Search for - Fontanite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Fontanite

    (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.
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    		[Eur.J.Mineral.(1992) 4, 1271-1274; Le Règne Minéral 1997, 13, p.5-18]
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    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: 22nd Oct 2009 04:00:02