Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (11 online) Mindat Auctions

Zirconolite

Big Photo

Laach lake volcanic complex, Eifel Mts, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Zirconolite Photos (19)
Formula:
CaZrTi
 
2
O
 
7
Colour:Black to brown, redHardness:5½


A complex zirconium titanium silicate with three polytypoids known (2M, 3O, 3T).

Gieré et al. (1998) identified five hypothetical end-members, CaZrTi2O7, CaZrMe5+Me3+O7, ACTZrTiMe2+O7, REEZrTiMe3+O7 and REEZrMe5+Me2+O7.
The last one has been observed as a 53% percentage of REEZrNb(Mn,Fe)O7 in a sample from the Eifel volcanic region (Della Ventura et al., 2000).

Classification of Zirconolite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/C.15-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DH.30

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.2.5.5

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
2 : A2B2O6(O,OH,F)
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.10.5

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
10 : Oxides of Zr and Th
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-4422.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Zirconolite

Type Locality:Afrikanda Massif, Afrikanda, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia

Physical Properties of Zirconolite

Lustre:Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent, Opaque
Colour:Black to brown, red
Streak:Dark brown, brownish yellow
Hardness (Mohs):5½

Optical Data of Zirconolite

Type:Biaxial
Dispersion:r > v strong

Chemical Properties of Zirconolite

Formula:
CaZrTi
 
2
O
 
7
Essential elements:Ca, O, Ti, Zr
All elements listed in formula:Ca, O, Ti, Zr

Relationship of Zirconolite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
4.DH.05Brannerite
(U
4+
 
,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
6
4.DH.05Orthobrannerite
UTi
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.05Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.10Kassite
CaTi
 
2
O
 
4
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.10Lucasite-(Ce)
CeTi
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.15Alumotungstite
(W,Al)(O,OH)
 
3
4.DH.15Bariomicrolite
Ba(Ta,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Bariopyrochlore
(Ba,Sr)
 
2
(Nb,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Betafite
(Ca,U)
 
2
(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.15Bismutomicrolite
(Bi,Ca)(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.15Calciobetafite
(Ca,RE,Th,U)
 
2
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.15Ceriopyrochlore-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca,Y)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Cesstibtantite
(Cs,Na)SbTa
 
4
O
 
12
4.DH.15Ferritungstite
(W,Fe
3+
 
)(O,OH)
 
3
4.DH.15Jixianite
Pb(W,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Kalipyrochlore
(K,Sr)
 
2-x
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)·nH
 
2
O
4.DH.15Microlite
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
4.DH.15Natrobistantite
(Na,Cs)Bi(Ta,Nb,Sb)
 
4
O
 
12
4.DH.15Plumbopyrochlore
(Pb,Y,U,Ca)
 
2-x
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.15Plumbomicrolite
(Pb,Ca,U)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.15Plumbobetafite
(Pb,U,Ca)(Ti,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Pyrochlore
(Ca,Na)
 
2
Nb
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Stibiomicrolite
(Sb,Ca,Na)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.15Strontiopyrochlore
(Sr,Ce,Ca)
 
0.66
(Nb,Fe)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Stannomicrolite
(Sn,Fe,Mn)
 
2
(Ta,Nb,Sn)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Stibiobetafite
(Sb,Ca)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Uranmicrolite
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Ta,Nb)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Uranpyrochlore
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Yttrobetafite-(Y)
(Y,U,Ce)
 
2
(Ti,Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
OH
4.DH.15Yttropyrochlore-(Y)
(Y,Na,Ca,U)
 
1-2
(Nb,Ta,Ti)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Fluornatromicrolite
(Na,Ca,Bi)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
F
4.DH.15Bismutopyrochlore
(Bi,U,Ca,Pb)
 
1+x
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)·nH
 
2
O
4.DH.15Thorian Pyrochlore
4.DH.15Elsmoreite
WO
 
3
·0.5H
 
2
O
4.DH.20Bismutostibiconite
Bi(Sb
5+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.20Bindheimite
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH)
4.DH.20Monimolite
(Pb,Ca,Fe)
 
3
Sb
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.20Partzite
Cu
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Roméite
(Ca,Fe,Mn,Na)
 
2
(Sb,Ti)
 
2
O
 
6
(O,OH,F)
4.DH.20Stetefeldtite
Ag
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Stibiconite
SbSb
 
2
O
 
6
(OH)
4.DH.25Rosiaite
PbSb
5+
2
O
 
6
4.DH.35Liandratite
U(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.35Petscheckite
UFe(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.40Ingersonite
Ca
 
3
MnSb
 
4
O
 
14
4.DH.45Pittongite
Na
 
0.22
(W,Fe
3+
 
)(O,OH)
 
3
 · 0.44H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.10.1Baddeleyite
ZrO
 
2
7.10.2Arkelite
ZrO
 
2
7.10.3Painite
ZrCaAl
 
9
[O
 
15
|BO
 
3
]
7.10.4Srilankite
Ti
 
2
ZrO
 
6
7.10.6Calzirtite
CaZr
 
3
TiO
 
9
7.10.7Tazheranite
(Zr,Ti,Ca)O
 
2
7.10.8Zirkelite
(Ti,Ca,Zr)O
 
2-x
7.10.9Uhligite
Ca
 
3
(Ti,Al,Zr)
 
9
O
 
20
 ?
7.10.10Thorianite
ThO
 
2

Other Names for Zirconolite

German names:
Zirkonolith
Russian names:
Цирконолит
Spanish names:
Zirconolita
Varieties:
NiobozirconolitePolymignite

Polytypes for Zirconolite

Polytypes:
Zirconolite-2MZirconolite-3OZirconolite-3T

Other Information

Health Warning:May be slightly radioactive.

References for Zirconolite

Reference List:Mazzi, F. and Munno, R. (1983) Calciobetafite (new mineral of the pyrochlore group) and related minerals from Campi Flegrei, Italy; crystal structures of polymignite, and zirkelite: comparison with pyrochlore and zirconolite. American Mineralogist: 68: 262-276.

Bayliss, P., Mazzi, F., Munno, R. and White, T. J. (1989): Mineral nomenclature: zirconolite. Mineral. Mag. 53, 565-569.

Mineralogical Magazine (1994): 5: 259-269.

Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 110: 845-848.

Gieré, R., Williams, C. T. and Lumpkin, G. R. (1998): Chemical characteristics of natural zirconolite. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt. 78, 433-459.

Bulakh, Andrei G.; Nesterov, Alexander R.; Anastasenko, Galina F.; Anisimov, Ilija S. (1999): Crystal morphology and intergrowths of calzirtite Ca2Zr5TiO16, zirkelite (Ti,Ca,Zr)O2-x, zirconolite CaZrTi2O7 in phoscorites and carbonatites of the Kola Peninsula (Russia). Neues Jahrb. Mineral., Monatsh. 1999, 11-20.

Della Ventura, G., Bellatreccia, F. and Williams, C. T. (2000): Zirconolite with significant REEZrNb(Mn,Fe)O7 from a xenolith of the Laacher See eruptive center, Eifel volcanic region, Germany. Can. Mineral. 38, 57-65.

Bellatreccia, F., Della Ventura, G., Williams, C. T., Lumpkin, G. R., Smith, K. L. and Colella, M. (2002): Non-metamict zirconolite polytypes from the feldspathoid-bearing alkali-syenitic ejecta of the Vico volcanic complex (Latium, Italy). Eur. J. Mineral. 14, 809-820.

G. Blaß, H.-W. Graf and U. Kolitsch (2003): Zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) from the volcanic Eifel - Verification of three different polytypoids. Mineralien-Welt 14 (3), 32-35. (in German)

Internet Links for Zirconolite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Zirconolite on Google
  • Look for Zirconolite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Zirconolite on Webmineral
  • Look for Zirconolite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Zirconolite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Zirconolite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Zirconolite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Zirconolite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for Zirconolite on minvision.com
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Search for Zirconolite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Find Zirconolite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Zirconolite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Algeria
     
    • Tamanghasset Province
      • Ahaggar Mts (Hoggar Mts)
        • Laouni
    		Can Miner. 25, 687-693 (1987)
    Angola
     
    • Huíla Province
      • Lubango City Council
    		Mariano, A. N., Roeder, P. L., 1989. Wöhlerite: chemical composition, cathodoluminescence and environment of crystallization. Canadian Mineralogist, 27: 709-720.
    Antarctica
     
    • Eastern Antarctica
      • Princess Elizabeth Land
        • Ingrid Christensen Coast
    		MinMag 58:259 (1994)
    Austria
     
    • Styria
      • Weiz
        • Stubenberg am See
    		Tropper, P. et al. (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007); http://geocities.com/franz_bernhard/polishedslabs.html
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • São Paulo
        • Cajati
    		MinMag 63:649
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Thunder Bay District
    		Mariano, A. N., Roeder, P. L., 1989. Wöhlerite: chemical composition, cathodoluminescence and environment of crystallization. Canadian Mineralogist, 27: 709-720.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
    		CanMin 38:57-65
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Andernach
          • Eich
    		Blass, G., Graf, HW., Kolitsch, U., Sebold, D., Über neue Mineralfunde aus der Vulkaneifel, Mineralien-Welt 6/2005
        • Laach lake volcanic complex
          • Kruft
    		[var: Polymignite] Lapis 1979(7+8), 67
          • Mendig
            • Niedermendig
    		[var: Polymignite] Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München (2. Auflage), 1987
    [var: Polymignite] [Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München (2. Auflage), 1987] [Minealien Welt 1/93:14]
              • Wingertsberg Mt.
    		[var: Polymignite] Hentschel, G., Die Mineralien der Eifelvulkane, Weise Verlag, München (2. Auflage), 1987
        • Mayen
          • Ettringen
    		Blass, G., Graf, H.W., Kolitsch, U., Zirkonolith (CaZrTi2O7) aus der Vulkaneifel: Nachweis drei verschiedener Polytypoide, Mineralien-Welt 14, 352-358, 2003
    Indonesia
     
    • Nusa Tenggara Timur Province (East Nusa Tenggara Province)
      • Lesser Sunda Islands
        • Lomblen Island
    		www.geo.uu.nl/Research/Petrology/hoog96.htm.
    Italy
     
    • Campania
      • Caserta Province
        • Roccamonfina Volcanic Complex
    		Della Ventura, G., Williams, C. T., Raudsepp, M., Bellatreccia, F., Caprilli, E. & Giordano, G. (2001): Perrierite-(Ce) and zirconolite from a syenitic ejectum of the Roccamonfina volcano (Latium, Italy): implications for the mobility of Zr, Ti, and REE in volcanic environments. - N. Jb. Miner. Mh. 2001 (9): 385-402.
      • Naples Province
        • Phlegrean Fields
    		[var: Polymignite] AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    Russo, M., Punzo, I., Blass, G., & Ciriotti, M. E. (2007). Zirconolite, albite ed epidoto: nuova e poco note specie del Somma-Vesuvio. Micro (UK report), 1/2007, 43-48.; Pascal, M.-L., Di Muro, A., Boudouma, O., Fointeilles, M., Principe, C. (2008): Zirconlite, calzirtite, baddeleyite, betafite, geikielite and qandilite in skarn ejecta from Vesuvius - inferences for the magma-wallrock interactions. EGU General Assembly 2008. Geophysical Research Abstract, 10, EGU2008-A-06674, 2008. ; Pascal, M.-L., Di Muro, A., Boudouma, O., Fointeilles, M., Principe, C. (2008): Zirconolite, calzirtite, baddeleyite, betafite, geikielite and qandilite in skarn ejecta from Vesuvius - inferences for the magma-wallrock interactions. EGU General Assembly 2008. Geophysical Research Abstract, 10, EGU2008-A-06674, 2008.
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
    		Caponera, I., Fiori, S., Pucci, R., & Signoretti, E. (2007). I minerali dei Colli Albani. Un aggiornamento sugli ultimi dieci anni di ricerche. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 31 (2), 74-91.
      • Viterbo Province
        • Vico Lake
    		No reference listed
    http://www.gminromano.it/Cercapietre/rivista04/testo/04A02.html
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
    		http://www.unileoben.ac.at/~chemie/zaccarini%20et%20al%20finero%20Platinumsymposium%202005.pdf
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Bolzano Province (South Tyrol)
        • Vizze Valley (Pfitsch valley)
    		Gartner, Ar., Gartner An. (2002): Burgum im schönen Pfitschtal. Tipografia Novaprint Cavalese, 126 pp.
      • Trento Province
        • Giudicarie Valley
          • Breguzzo
            • San Pietro-Breguzzo Valley
              • Malga Trivena hut
    		Giere, R. & Williams, C.T. (1992)
    Japan
     
    • Ehime Prefecture
      • Inland Sea (Setonaikai)
    		Nishio & Minakawa (2003) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi, 201.
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Iwate Prefecture
          • Miyako City
            • Neichi mine
    		Kato & Matsubara (1991) Bulletin of the National Science Museum (Tokyo), 17, 11-20.
    Madagascar
     
    • Tuléar (Toliara) Province
      • Anosy (Fort Dauphin) Region
        • Amboasary Department
          • Maromby Commune
    		www.gemresearch.ch/andranon/madcon.htm.
    Norway
     
    • Oslo
      • Sørkedalen
    		Barth (1944, p. 58); Neumann (1985, p. 82).
    • Telemark
      • Porsgrunn
        • Langangen
          • Kokkersvold - Blåfjell
    		[var: Polymignite] Larsen, A.O. & Åsheim,A.(1976):"Mineraler fra Langangen".NAGS-nytt 3(1),9-12. (in norwegian)
          • Rønningen
    		[var: Polymignite] Burvald, Ingulv (1993): To forekomster av nefelin-syenitt-pegmatitt i Telemark. STEIN 20 (3), 176-179
    • Vestfold
      • Andebu
    		Bergstøl (1972, p. 237); Neumann (1985, p. 82).
      • Larvik
        • Lågendalen
    CanMin 38:57-65
    [var: Polymignite] Berzelius (1824); Neumann (1985, p. 82).
    [var: Polymignite] A.O. Larsen (1978, pers. com.); Neumann (1985, p. 82).[MinRec 23:435]
    [var: Polymignite] Brøgger (1890, p. 395); Neumann (1985, p. 82).
        • Tjølling
          • Håkestad
    		[var: Polymignite] Hansen,R.(1981)."Mineralnotater". NAGS-nytt 8(4),18 (in norwegian)
          • Klåstad
    		[var: Polymignite] J. Hysigjord (1978, letter); Neumann (1985, p. 82).
          • Stålaker
    		[var: Polymignite] Hansen,R.(1981)."Mineralnotater". NAGS-nytt 8(4),18 (in norwegian)
        • Vardaasen
    		[var: Polymignite] Collection of Peter Andresen.
      • Re
        • Ramnes
    		[var: Polymignite] Andersen, F. & Berge, S. A. (1994): Himberg pukkverk, Ramnes, Vestfold. STEIN 21 (2), 96-102
      • Sandefjord
        • Fokserød
    		[var: Polymignite] Berge, S.A. & Larsen,A.O.(1980): Mineraler fra Sandefjordsområdet-IV.Granater".NAGS-nytt 7(2),21-24. (in norwegian)
    [var: Polymignite] Berge, S.A. & Larsen,A.O.(1980): Mineraler fra Sandefjordsområdet-IV.Granater".NAGS-nytt 7(2),21-24. (in norwegian)
    [var: Polymignite] Berge,S.A. & Hansen, R.(1975):"Mineraler fra Sandefjord".NAGS-nytt nr 1,10-12 (in norwegian)
        • Vesterøya
    		[var: Polymignite] Berge, S.A. & Larsen,A.O.(1980): Mineraler fra Sandefjordsområdet-IV.Granater".NAGS-nytt 7(2),21-24. (in norwegian)
    [var: Polymignite] Berge, S.A. & Hansen, R.(1976): "Mineraler i Sandefjordsområdet III-Varden". NAGS-nytt 3(4),13-16 (in norwegian)
    Oman
     
    • Dhofar (Al Janubiyah) Province
    		The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 88, 2004 JULY, Meteoritics & Planetary Science 39, Axxx–Axxx (2004)
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Khabarovskiy Kray
        • Aldan province
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Afrikanda
    		[World of Stones 95:5-6, 64]
    [var: Polymignite] www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/khib.htm
            • Kukisvumchorr Mt
              • East slope
    		EJM 19, 95-103(2007)
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Shlyukova Z.V. (1986) Mineralogy of contact formations of Khibina massif, - Moscow, Nauka, p. 96 (in Rus.)
          • Turii Cape
    		www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/tury.htm
    www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/vuori.htm
    South Africa
     
    • Limpopo Province
      • Phalaborwa
        • Loolekop
    		[var: Niobozirconolite] No reference listed
    Sri Lanka
     
    • Sabaragamuwa Province
      • Bambarabotuwa District
    Lapis 8(9), 17 (1983)
    Sweden
     
    • Medelpad
      • Sundsvall
    		No reference listed
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
        • Gåsgruvan ore field
    		Mineralogical Magazine (1992) 56, 17-35
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
    		CanMin 38:57-65
    The Moon
     
    A.V. Mokhov and P.M. Kartashov data
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Strathclyde (Argyllshire)
    		www.abdn.ac.uk/geology/profiles/analysis/probe.htm.
    USA
     
    • Massachusetts
      • Essex Co.
    		[var: Polymignite] Gleba, 1978. Massachusetts Mineral & Fossil Localities
    [var: Polymignite] Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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.