Schmitterite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Schmitterite
Formula:
(UO2)(TeO3)
Colour:
Very pale straw yellow, colourless to pale yellow
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
6.878
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Eduardo Schmitter Villada (21 June 1904, Toluca, Mexico - 1982(?)), Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology at the National University of Mexico and also Research Petrologist at the Mexican Institute of Geology at the University.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3570
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3570:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
16844e95-71f2-4fb4-8553-ecca8c6b5040
IMA Classification of Schmitterite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(UO2)(Te4+O3)
First published:
1971
Classification of Schmitterite
4.JK.70
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.7.1
34.1.6.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
28.3.19
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sci | 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 Schmitterite
Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Very pale straw yellow, colourless to pale yellow
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{100}
{100}
Density:
6.878 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.916 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Schmitterite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Comments:
X = c; Y = b; Z = a
α = n.d.; β = 2.05; γ > 2.11
α = n.d.; β = 2.05; γ > 2.11
Chemistry of Schmitterite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)(TeO3)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Schmitterite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.860(4) Å, b = 10.089(2) Å, c = 5.363(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.779 : 1 : 0.532
Unit Cell V:
425.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space Group: P21ab (synthetic).
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009479 | Schmitterite | Meunier G, Galy J (1973) Structure cristalline de la schmitterite synthetique UTeO5 Acta Crystallographica B29 1251-1255 |  | 1973 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009637 | Schmitterite | Loopstra B O, Brandenburg N P (1978) Uranyl selenite and uranyl tellurite Acta Crystallographica B34 1335-1337 | | 1978 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.682 Å | (100) |
| 5.35 Å | (90) |
| 3.099 Å | (90) |
| 4.73 Å | (80) |
| 3.170 Å | (80) |
| 1.971 Å | (70) |
| 1.549 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Schmitterite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institute of Geology, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., specimen 122475.
Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., specimen 122475.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Gaines, R.V. (1971) Schmitterite — a new uranyl tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora. American Mineralogist: 56: 411-415.
Synonyms of Schmitterite
Other Language Names for Schmitterite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 22 photos of Schmitterite associated with Emmonsite | Fe3+2(TeO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Schmitterite associated with Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4 photos of Schmitterite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Schmitterite associated with Mackayite | Fe3+(Te4+2O5)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Schmitterite associated with Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 1 photo of Schmitterite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Schmitterite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3570.html
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References for Schmitterite
Reference List:
Gaines, Richard V. (1971) Schmitterite - a new uranyl tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora. American Mineralogist, 56 (3-4) 411-415
Gaines, Richard V. (1971) Schmitterite - a new uranyl tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora. American Mineralogist, 56 (3-4) 411-415
Swihart, George H., Gupta, Pradip K. Sen, Schlemper, Elmer O., Back, Malcolm E., Gaines, Richard V. (1993) The crystal structure of moctezumite [PbUO2](TeO3)2. American Mineralogist, 78 (7-8) 835-839
Localities for Schmitterite
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.
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
Mexico | |
| |
| Lapis 2001 (1) | |
| Gaines (1971) |
| Lapis 2001 (1) | |
| Brent Thorne | |
Norway | |
| Rumsey et al. (2018) |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico