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Rutherfordine

Big Photo

Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Rutherfordine Photos (27)
Formula:
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Pale brownish-yellow, ...
Lustre:Silky, Dull
Name:For British atomic physicist, Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937)
This page provides mineralogical data about Rutherfordine.

Classification of Rutherfordine

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.01-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EB.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
B : UO2:CO3 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:14.1.4.1

14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.11.2

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

Co-type Localities:Lukwengule, Uluguru Mts (Uruguru Mts), Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Morogoro, Uluguru Mts (Uruguru Mts), Morogoro Region, Tanzania
General Appearance of Type Material:Pulverulent masses composed of minute matted fibers, pseudomorphic after uraninite.
Year of Discovery:1906

Physical Properties of Rutherfordine

Lustre:Silky, Dull
Colour:Pale brownish-yellow, yellow to orange, yellowish green
Streak:White
Density (measured):4.82 g/cm3

Crystallography of Rutherfordine

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 4.84Å, b = 9.2Å, c = 4.29Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.526 : 1 : 0.466
Unit Cell Volume:V 191.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Acicular needles.

Optical Data of Rutherfordine

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.700 - 1.723 nβ = 1.716 - 1.730 nγ = 1.755 - 1.795
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.055 - 0.072

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

Chemical Properties of Rutherfordine

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

Relationship of Rutherfordine to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.EB.10Blatonite
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
] · H
 
2
O
5.EB.15Joliotite
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
] · nH
 
2
O
5.EB.20Bijvoetite-(Y)
(Y,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
6
|(CO
 
3
)
 
4
] · 11H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.11.1Stichtite
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
[(OH)
 
16
|CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
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
11.11.7Zellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
11.11.8Wyartite
Ca
 
3
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
9
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3-5H
 
2
O
11.11.9Urancalcarite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
6
|CO
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.10Sharpite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
] · 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
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
6
] · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.15Kamotoite-(Y)
Y
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[O
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 14H
 
2
O
11.11.16Shabaite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Sm,Y)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.17Astrocyanite-(Ce)
Cu
 
2
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
] · 1.5H
 
2
O
11.11.18Bijvoetite-(Y)
(Y,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
6
|(CO
 
3
)
 
4
] · 11H
 
2
O
11.11.19Widenmannite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
11.11.20Znucalite
Zn
 
12
Ca(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
22
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Rutherfordine

Synonyms:
Diderichite
Other Languages:
German:Diderichit
Russian:Рутерфордин
Spanish:Diderichita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in acids.
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 Rutherfordine

Reference List:Marckwald (1906) Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 761.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 129.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 274-275.

American Mineralogist (1956): 41: 127-133.

Finch, R.J., M. Cooper, F.C. Hawthorne, and R.C. Ewing (1999b) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine. Canadian Mineralogist (1999): 37: 929.

Kubatko, Karrie-Ann, Katheryn Helean, Alexandra Navrotsky, and Peter C. Burns (2005), Thermodynamics of uranyl minerals: Enthalpies of formation of rutherfordine, UO2CO3, andersonite, Na2CaUO2(CO3)3(H2O)5, and grimselite, K3NaUO2(CO3)3H2O: American Mineralogist: 90: 1284-1290.

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 Rutherfordine

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

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Northern Territory
      • Alligator Rivers Region
    		Econ Geol (1987)82:1152-1168
      • South Alligator Valley Mineral Field
    		Henry, D.A., Pogson, R.E. and Williams, P.A. (2005) Threadgoldite from the South Alligator Valley uranium field, Northern Territory, Australia: second world occurrence. , Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 11, 7-11
    • South Australia
      • Coober Pedy - Everard Range Regions
        • Peake and Denison Ranges
    		No reference listed
      • Flinders Ranges
        • North Flinders Ranges
          • Mt Painter area
            • Radium Ridge
    		J. Brugger at al.: Austral. J. Mineral. 9(1):15-31 (2003); J. Brugger et al.: Amer. Min. 89:339-347 (2004); Lapis 29(3):41 (2004)
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Waldenstein
          • Übelskogel Mt.
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Galiléia
            • Sapucaia do Norte
    		Cassedanne, J.P. & Baptista, A. (1999): Famous Mineral Localities: The Sapucaia Pegmatite Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 30: 347-360 + 365
    Canada
     
    • Saskatchewan
      • Beaverlodge Region
        • Goldfields District
          • Beaverlodge Lake
    		Jeremy Zolan
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
    Plašil J, Sejkora J, Ondruš P, Veselovský F, Beran P, Goliáš V (2006): Supergene minerals in the Horní Slavkov uranium ore district, Czech Republic. Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51, 149-158.
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    		Sejkora, J., Čejka, J., Bureš, B.: Nález vzácného karbonátu uranylu (rutherfordinu) v jáchymovském rudním revíru. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 2004, roč. 12, s. 163-166.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Shinkolobwe
        • Western area
          • Kolwezi
    		Rob Lavinsky specimen
    No reference listed
    • Sud-Kivu
      • Lusungu River District
    France
     
    • Auvergne
      • Puy-de-Dôme
        • Saint-Amant-Tallende
          • Olloix
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
        • Lodève
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    [Le Règne Minéral 1997, 13, p.5-18]
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
      • Lozère
        • Marvejols
          • St Léger-de-Peyre
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    • Poitou-Charentes
      • Deux-Sèvres
        • La Chapelle Largeau
    		Le Cahier des micromonteurs, 2002, N°75, pp 8-25
        • Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre
    		Le Cahier des micromonteurs, 2002, N°75, pp 8-25
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Haslach
          • Schnellingen
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Menzenschwand
    		Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Böckelsbach valley
    		No reference listed
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Schwandorf
          • Wölsendorf Fluorite mining District
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Hunsrück Mts
        • Birkenfeld
          • Ellweiler
    		Aufschluss 69/(7+8), Lapis 79/(7+8)
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
    		Lapis 30(7/8):78-80 (2005)
    Italy
     
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Daone
          • Limes
    		Campostrini, I., Demartin, F., Gramaccioli, C.M. (2005): Val Daone. Minerali secondari del giacimento uranifero presso Limes, Daone (TN). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2005, 228-240.
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
      • Krødsherad
        • Krøderen Lake
    		Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p. 103
    • Østfold
      • Sarpsborg
        • Isesjøen
    		Neumann (1985, p. 103).
    Tanzania
     
    • Morogoro Region
      • Uluguru Mts (Uruguru Mts)
    Centr.Min.(1906) p. 761-764; J. Geffroy, J.A. Sarcia, J. Chervet : "Les Minéraux Uranifères Français", 1960, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires / Saclay - PUF.
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • St Austell District
          • St Stephen Area
            • St Stephen-in-Brannel
    		No reference listed
        • St Just District
          • Botallack - Pendeen Area
            • Botallack
    		[Journal of the Russell Society, 6(1), 17-26 (1995)]
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Eagle Co.
        • McCoy District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997)
      • Moffat Co.
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Newry
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1; King, V. (ed), 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 2.
    • Michigan
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • Nevada
      • Lander Co.
        • Reese River District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		Rocks & Min. 80:256 (2005)
      • Sullivan Co.
        • Acworth
    		Januzzi, R.E. and Seaman, David M. (1976) Mineral Localities Of Connecticut and Southern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World.
    • New Mexico
      • McKinley Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
          • Ambrosia Lake area
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
    • North Carolina
      • Burke Co.
        • Brindletown
    		Rocks & Min.:60:86.
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
          • Delta
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • San Juan Co.
        • Interriver District
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
        • White Canyon District
          • White Canyon
    		Min Rec 30 pp231-238
    • Washington
      • Stevens Co.
        • Benjamin Lake
    		Charles Creekmur collection
    • Wyoming
      • Fremont Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals 76:386
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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