Rutherfordine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rutherfordine
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson
Formula:
(UO2)CO3
Colour:
Pale brownish-yellow, yellow to orange, yellowish green
Lustre:
Silky, Dull
Specific Gravity:
5.7
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by W. Marckwald in 1906 in honor of Ernest Rutherford (30 August 1871, Brightwater, New Zealand - 19 October 1937, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom), atomic physicist. He made tremendous discoveries in nuclear physics including discovering the concept of radioactive half-life, proving that radioactivity involves the transmutation of one element into another, differentiating and naming alpha and beta radiation, discovering and naming the proton, and developing the Rutherford model of the atom (i.e. an atom with a small nucleus). He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908 and the element rutherfordium is named in his honor.
This page provides mineralogical data about Rutherfordine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3484
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3484:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6a1b170d-aecb-4a60-8011-e20f0c440127
IMA Classification of Rutherfordine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(UO2)(CO3)
Classification of Rutherfordine
5.EB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
B : UO2:CO3 = 1:1
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
B : UO2:CO3 = 1:1
14.1.4.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.11.2
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rfd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Rutherfordine
Silky, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Silky if fibrous
Colour:
Pale brownish-yellow, yellow to orange, yellowish green
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
less perfect on {001}
Perfect on {010}
less perfect on {001}
Density:
5.7 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.682 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rutherfordine
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.700 - 1.723 nβ = 1.716 - 1.730 nγ = 1.755 - 1.795
2V:
Calculated: 53°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.055 - 0.072
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= colorless
Y= pale yellow
Z= pale greenish yellow
Y= pale yellow
Z= pale greenish yellow
Chemistry of Rutherfordine
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)CO3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rutherfordine
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Imm2
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.840 Å, b = 9.273 Å, c = 4.298 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.522 : 1 : 0.463
Unit Cell V:
192.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Acicular needles.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005627 | Rutherfordine | Finch R J, Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Ewing R C (1999) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine The Canadian Mineralogist 37 929-938 |  | 1999 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral formed by weathering of uraninite.
Type Occurrence of Rutherfordine
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pulverulent masses composed of minute matted fibers, pseudomorphic after uraninite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Smithsonian
Synonyms of Rutherfordine
Other Language Names for Rutherfordine
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 35 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 30 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 16 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 14 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 14 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 11 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 11 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 10 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 10 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Vandenbrandeite | Cu(UO2)(OH)4 |
| 10 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.EB.10 | Blatonite | (UO2)CO3 · H2O |
| 5.EB.15 | Joliotite | (UO2)CO3 · nH2O |
| 5.EB.20 | Bijvoetite-(Y) | Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Decomposes to yellow UO3 when heated gently, and to greenish black U3O8 when heated strongly.
Notes:
Effervesces vigorously in dilute acids, although the reaction may be slow to start. Negligible solubility in water and NaOH under ordinary conditions.
Health Risks:
Radioactive
Internet Links for Rutherfordine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3484.html
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References for Rutherfordine
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.129
Christ, C. L., Clark, J. R., Evans, H. T. (1955) Crystal Structure of Rutherfordine, UO2CO3. Science, 121 (3144) 472-473 doi:10.1126/science.121.3144.472
Frondel, Clifford, Meyrowitz, Robert (1956) Studies of uranium minerals (XIX): Rutherfordine, diderichite, and clarkeite. American Mineralogist, 41 (1-2) 127-133
(1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin Vol. 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.208-211
(1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 260-263 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.09
(1980) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (332) 1053-1055 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.332.17
Finch, R. J., Cooper, M., Hawthorne, F. C., Ewing, R. C. (1999) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine. The Canadian Mineralogist, 37 (4) 929-938
Kubatko, K.-A. (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 (8) 1284-1290 doi:10.2138/am.2005.1821
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Localities for Rutherfordine
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Econ Geol (1987) +1 other reference |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
| Fairclough et al. (compilers) |
| Brugger et al. (2003) +2 other references |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) |
Canada | |
| Boulanger (2012) |
| Watkinson et al. (1975) | |
| Jeremy Zolan |
China | |
| Aizhen Wang and Jingyi Zhang (1988) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora +3 other references |
| Skala et al. (2011) | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| 70 (in German) +2 other references | |
DR Congo | |
| Daltry (1992) +1 other reference |
| SEM-EDS | |
| Deliens (1996) +1 other reference |
| Rob Lavinsky specimen |
| |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| Bariand et al. (1993) +2 other references |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
Gabon | |
| Janusz Janeczek (1999) |
Germany | |
| Schmeltzer (1993) +1 other reference |
| Bayerl et al. (04/21) |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Bald +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2010) | |
| Aufschluss 69/ (7+8) +1 other reference |
| Desor (05/2020) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
Italy | |
| Vignola P. et al. (2011) |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2017) |
New Zealand | |
| Christie et al. (2000) |
Norway | |
| Henrich Neumann (1985) |
| Henrich Neumann (1985) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) |
Sweden | |
| Wilke (1997) |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tanzania (TL) | |
| Centr. Min. (1906) +2 other references |
UK | |
| Elton et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
Ukraine | |
| Burakov et al. () +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Korzeb et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Rocks & Min.:60:86. |
| Barton et al. (2018) | |
| Page +3 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Mandarino (1999) |
| Charles Creekmur collection |
| Page +3 other references |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
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La Dorgissière Mine, Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre, Bressuire, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France