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Vitusite-(Ce)

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Big Photo

Kvanefjeld adit, Kvanefjeld Uranium deposit, Kuannersuit plateau (Kvanefjeld), Ilimaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kitaa Province (West Greenland), Greenland
© Knut Eldjarn

Show Vitusite-(Ce) Photos (9)



Formula:
Na
 
3
(Ce,La,Nd)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:Pale pink, white, pale ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:4½
Name:Named after Vitus Bering (1681-1741), a Danish-Russian explorer of the northern seas.


May be altered to "erikite" = a pseudomorphous mixture of monazite and rhabdophane after vitusite-(Ce) (Pekov et al., 1997).

Classification of Vitusite-(Ce)

IMA status:Approved 1976
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.16-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.AC.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 7th edition ID:38.1.8.1
Dana 8th edition ID:38.1.8.1

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.9.9

19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
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Type Occurrence of Vitusite-(Ce)

Co-type Localities:Drill Core 39, Kvanefjeld Uranium deposit, Kuannersuit plateau (Kvanefjeld), Ilimaussaq complex, Narsaq, Kitaa Province (West Greenland), Greenland
Yubileinaya (Yubileinoye; Jubilejnaja) pegmatite, Karnasurt Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1976
Geological Setting of type material:Nepheline syenite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SazhiniteNatroliteLeucosphenite

Occurrences of Vitusite-(Ce)

Geological Setting:Nepheline syenite pegmatite.

Physical Properties of Vitusite-(Ce)

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Pale pink, white, pale green, also yellow, gray to black
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
{001}, {010}, {100}, but degree of development unstated
Density (calculated):3.86 g/cm3

Crystallography of Vitusite-(Ce)

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:Pca21
Cell Parameters:a = 5.342Å, b = 18.680Å, c = 14.062Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.286 : 1 : 0.753
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,403.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Twinning:pseudohexagonal on {160} and {120}
Comment:Pc21b, Neues Jahrbuch MA 1980 137:42; a supercell 58.75
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
6.58 (90)
4.67 (90)
4.63 (90)
3.51 (90)
2.81 (100)
2.80 (100)
2.69 (90)
2.67 (90)
Comments:ICDD 33-1232

Optical Data of Vitusite-(Ce)

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.602 - 1.604 nβ = 1.647 - 1.650 nγ = 1.649 - 1.654
2V:Measured: 30° , Calculated: 22° to 32°
Birefringence:0.045
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.047 - 0.050

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v
Optical Extinction:XYZ = abc
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Vitusite-(Ce)

Formula:
Na
 
3
(Ce,La,Nd)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
Essential elements:Ce, Na, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Ce, La, Na, Nd, O, P

Relationship of Vitusite-(Ce) to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.AC.05Howardevansite
NaCuFe
 
2
(VO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Alluaudite
(Na,Ca)Mn
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Arseniopleite
NaCaMn
2+
 
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Caryinite
(Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)(Mn
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Ferroalluaudite
(Na,Ca)Fe
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Hagendorfite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Johillerite
Na(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Cu(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Maghagendorfite
(□,Na,)(Na,Ca,Fe
2+
 
)Mn(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Nickenichite
Na
 
0.8
Ca
 
0.4
Cu
 
0.4
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Varulite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Mn
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Ferrohagendorfite
NaCaFe
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Bradaczekite
NaCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Yazganite
NaFe
3+
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
8.AC.10Groatite
NaCaMn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.15Bobfergusonite
Na
 
2
Mn
 
5
FeAl(PO
 
4
)
 
6
8.AC.15Ferrowyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Qingheiite
NaMn
3+
 
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Rosemaryite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Wyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Ferrorosemaryite
◻NaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+
 
Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Qingheiite-(Fe2+)
Na
 
2
Fe
2+
 
MgAl(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.18Manitobaite
Na
 
16
Mn
2+
 
 
25
Al
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
30
8.AC.20Marićite
NaFe
2+
 
(PO
 
4
)
8.AC.25Berzeliite
NaCa
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.25Manganberzeliite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.25Palenzonaite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
CaMn
2+
2
(VO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.25Schäferite
Ca
 
2
NaMg
 
2
(VO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.30Brianite
Na
 
2
CaMg(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.40Olgite
(Sr,Ba)(Na,Sr,REE)
 
2
Na(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.40Bario-olgite
(Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr,REE)
 
2
Na(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 ·
8.AC.45Strontiowhitlockite
Sr
 
9
Mg(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(HPO
 
4
)
8.AC.45Whitlockite
Ca
 
9
Mg(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(HPO
 
4
)
8.AC.45Merrillite
Ca
 
9
NaMg(PO
 
4
)
 
7
8.AC.45Tuite
Ca
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.45Ferromerrillite
Ca
 
9
NaFe
2+
 
(PO
 
4
)
 
7
8.AC.45Bobdownsite
Ca
 
9
Mg(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(PO
 
3
F)
8.AC.50Chladniite
{Ca}{Na
 
8
}{Ca
 
4
Na
 
4
}{(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}(PO
 
4
)
 
36
8.AC.50Fillowite
{Mn
2+
 
}{Na
 
8
}{Ca
 
4
Na
 
4
}{(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}(PO
 
4
)
 
36
8.AC.50Johnsomervilleite
{Ca}{Na
 
6
[ ]
 
2
}{Ca
 
6
Na
 
2
}{(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
43
}(PO
 
4
)
 
36
8.AC.50Galileiite
{Fe
2+
 
}{Na
 
8
}{Fe
2+
4
Na
 
4
}{Fe
2+
43
}(PO
 
4
)
 
36
8.AC.50Stornesite-(Y)
{(Y, Ca)}{Na
 
6
◻
 
2
}{(Ca,Na)
 
8
}{(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}(PO
 
4
)
 
36
8.AC.50Xenophyllite
Na
 
4
Fe
2+
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
8.AC.55Harrisonite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
6
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.60Kosnarite
KZr
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.65Panethite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.70Stanfieldite
Ca
 
7
Ca
 
2
Mg
 
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
12
8.AC.75Ronneburgite
K
 
2
MnV
 
4
O
 
12
8.AC.80Tillmannsite
(Ag
 
3
Hg)(VO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)
8.AC.85Filatovite
K(Al,Zn)
 
2
(As,Si)
 
2
O
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.9.1Xenotime-(Y)
Y(PO
 
4
)
19.9.2Churchite-(Y)
Y(PO
 
4
) · 2H
 
2
O
19.9.3Monazite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Nd,Th)(PO
 
4
)
19.9.4Monazite-(La)
(La,Ce,Nd)(PO
 
4
)
19.9.5Monazite-(Nd)
(Nd,La,Ce)(PO
 
4
)
19.9.6Rhabdophane-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(PO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
19.9.7Rhabdophane-(La)
(La,Ce)(PO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
19.9.8Rhabdophane-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,La)(PO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
19.9.10Florencite-(Ce)
CeAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
19.9.11Florencite-(La)
LaAl
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
19.9.12Florencite-(Nd)
(Nd,La,Ce)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
19.9.13Kolbeckite
ScPO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Vitusite-(Ce)

Synonyms:
IMA1976-055
Other Languages:
Faroese:Vitusite-(Ce)
German:Vitusit-(Ce)
Russian:Витусит-(Ce)

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 Vitusite-(Ce)

Reference List:

- +
RØNSBO, J.G., KHOMYAKOV, A.P., SEMENOV, E.I., VORONKOV, A.A., and GARANIN, V.K (1979) Vitusite, a new phosphate of sodium and rare earths from the Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola and Ilímaussaq alkaline intrusion, South Greenland. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen, 137, (1) 42-53. Abstract in: American Mineralogist (1980): 65: 812.
MAZZI, F. and UNGARETTI, L. (1994) The crystal structure of vitusite from Ilímaussaq, (South Greenland) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, Jg. 1993, H.6 49-66.
HORVÁTH, L., and GAULT, R.G. (1990) The mineralogy of Mont Saint Hilaire. Mineralogical Record, 21, 284 359.
Mineralogical Magazine: (1992) 56: 235-237.
Pekov, I.V., Chukanov, N.V., Rønsbo, J.G. & Sørensen, H. (1997): Erikite - a pseudomorph after vitusite. Neues. Jahrb. Mineral. Monatsh., 97-112.

Internet Links for Vitusite-(Ce)

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    • Localities for Vitusite-(Ce)

    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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Montérégie
        • Rouville RCM
          • Mont Saint-Hilaire
    		Horváth, L and Gault, R.A. (1990), The mineralogy of Mont Saint-Hilaire Quebec. Mineralogical Record: 21: 284-359.
    Greenland
     
    • Kitaa Province (West Greenland)
      • Narsaq
        • Ilimaussaq complex
          • Kuannersuit plateau (Kvanefjeld)
            • Kvanefjeld Uranium deposit
    		RØNSBO, J.G., KHOMYAKOV, A.P., SEMENOV, E.I., VORONKOV, A.A., and GARANIN, V.K (1979) Vitusite, a new phosphate of sodium and rare earths from the Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola and Ilímaussaq alkaline intrusion, South Greenland. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Abhandlungen, 137, (1) 42-53. Abstract in: American Mineralogist (1980): 65: 812. Petersen, O. V. & Johnsen, O. (2005): Minerals First described from Greenland. Canadian Mineralogist Special Publication 8.
    Pekov,I.V. & Ekimenkova, I.A. (2001): Two new rare-earth-rich mineral associations in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin 190, 143-144
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Khibiny Massif
    		33 IGC excursion No 47, July 22 – August 2, 2008 Stop 2-2
          • Lovozero Massif
            • Karnasurt Mt
    		Pekov, Igor V. (1998): Minerals first discovered on the territory of the former soviet Union. Moscow , 370pp
            • Kedykverpakhk Mt
    		Mineralogical Record: 36(4): 397-416.
    Pekov, Igor V. (1998): Minerals first discovered on the territory of the former soviet Union. Moscow , 370pp
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