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Zirconolite

Formula:
CaZrTi
 
2
O
 
7
Colour:Black to brown, redHardness:


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
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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):

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

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  • 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)
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    Localities for Zirconolite

    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.
    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
     
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