Fontanite
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About Fontanite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(CO3)4 · 3H2O
Colour:
Bright yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.19 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by Michel Deliens and Paul Piret in 1992 in honor of François Fontan (1942, Toulouse, France - July 2007), mineralogist and expert on pegmatites at the University of Toulouse, France.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Fontanite.
Classification of Fontanite
Approved
Approval Year:
1991
First Published:
1992
5/F.02-45
5.EC.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
C : UO2:CO3 < 1:1 - 1:2
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
C : UO2:CO3 < 1:1 - 1:2
15.3.6.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
Physical Properties of Fontanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Bright yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.19 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured >4.10
Optical Data of Fontanite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.603 nβ = 1.690 nγ = 1.710
2V:
Measured: 50° , Calculated: 48°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.107
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:
r > v
Chemical Properties of Fontanite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(CO3)4 · 3H2O
IMA Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(CO3)2O2 · 6H2O
Crystallography of Fontanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.33 Å, b = 17.05 Å, c = 6.93 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.899 : 1 : 0.406
Unit Cell V:
1,811.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Rectangular lath-shaped crystals, elongate [001], platy (010), showing {100} and {010}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.55 | (100) |
| 6.94 | (50) |
| 4.11 | (60) |
| 3.723 | (60) |
| 3.460 | (50) |
| 3.211 | (40) |
| 2.772 | (70) |
Type Occurrence of Fontanite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium, RC4216.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of a uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Fontanite
Other Language Names for Fontanite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
| 5.EC.10 | Metazellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 3H2O | Orth. |
| 5.EC.10 | Zellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O | Orth. |
Fluorescence of Fontanite
Light green under long-wave ultraviolet light.
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Fontanite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Deliens, M., Piret, P. (1992) La fontanite, carbonate hydraté d'uranyle et de calcium, nouvelle espèce minérale de Rabejac, Hérault, France. European Journal of Mineralogy: 4: 1271-1274.
Jambor, J.L., Burke, E.A.J. (1993) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 78: 845-849.
New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.
Hughes, K.-A., Burns, P.C. (2003a) A new uranyl carbonate sheet in the crystal structure of fontanite, Ca[(UO2)3(CO3)2O2](H2O)6. American Mineralogist: 88: 962-966.
Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.
Internet Links for Fontanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1580.html
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Localities for Fontanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for 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., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 2. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 2 |
France (TL) | |
| [European Journal of Mineralogy(1992) 4, 1271-1274; Le Règne Minéral 1997, 13, p.5-18]; Bariand, P., Bachet, B., Brassy, C., Medenbach, O., Deliens, M., Vautier, R., & Piret, P. (1993) A New Uranium Mineral from the Talmessi Mine, Iran, and Rabejac, France. Mineralogical Record: 24: 463-467 |
Rabejac, Le Puech, Hérault, Occitanie, France