Rutherfordine
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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 tremedous 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.
Classification of Rutherfordine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
5/F.01-10
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
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
Chemical Properties of Rutherfordine
Formula:
(UO2)CO3
IMA 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
| AMCSD | 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
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:
| 16 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 15 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2•5H2O |
| 9 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 8 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 5 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 5 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 4 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 3 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Studtite | [(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 2 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH]2 · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
| 5.EB.10 | Blatonite | (UO2)CO3 · H2O | Hex. |
| 5.EB.15 | Joliotite | (UO2)CO3 · nH2O | Orth. |
| 5.EB.20 | Bijvoetite-(Y) | Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O | Mon. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
| 11.11.1 | Stichtite | Mg6Cr3+2(OH)16[CO3] · 4H2O | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m |
| 11.11.3 | Joliotite | (UO2)CO3 · nH2O | Orth. |
| 11.11.4 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O | Hex. |
| 11.11.5 | Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O | Mon. |
| 11.11.6 | Metazellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 3H2O | Orth. |
| 11.11.7 | Zellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O | Orth. |
| 11.11.8 | Wyartite | CaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH) · 7H2O | Orth. |
| 11.11.9 | Urancalcarite | Ca(UO2)3(CO3)(OH)6 · 3H2O | Orth. |
| 11.11.10 | Sharpite | Ca(UO2)3(CO3)4 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
| 11.11.11 | Voglite | Ca2Cu(UO2)(CO3)4 · 6H2O | Mon. |
| 11.11.12 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O | Trig. 3 : R3 |
| 11.11.13 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| 11.11.14 | Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O | Mon. |
| 11.11.15 | Kamotoite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)4(CO3)3O4 · 14H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| 11.11.16 | Shabaite-(Nd) | Ca(Nd,Sm,Y)2(UO2)(CO3)4(OH)2 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 11.11.17 | Astrocyanite-(Ce) | Cu2(Ce,Nd,La)2(UO2)(CO3)5(OH)2 · 1.5H2O | Hex. |
| 11.11.18 | Bijvoetite-(Y) | Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O | Mon. |
| 11.11.19 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] | Orth. |
| 11.11.20 | Znucalite | Zn12Ca(UO2)(CO3)3(OH)22 · 4H2O | Orth. |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
Health Risks:
Radioactive
References for Rutherfordine
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Marckwald, W. (1906) Ueber Uranerz aus Deutsch-Ostafrika. Centralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 761-763. (in German)
Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 129.
Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 274-275.
Frondel, C., Meyrowitz, R. (1956) Studies of uranium minerals (XIX): rutherfordine, diderichite, and clarkeite. American Mineralogist: 41: 127-133.
International Mineralogical Association (1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on new minerals and mineral names. Mineralogical Magazine: 33: 260-263.
International Mineralogical Association (1980) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on new minerals and mineral names. Mineralogical Magazine: 43: 1053-1055.
Finch, R.J., Cooper, M., Hawthorne, F.C., Ewing, R.C. (1999) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine. Canadian Mineralogist 37: 929-938.
Kubatko, K.-A., Helean, K., Navrotsky, A., Burns, P.C. (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: 1284-1290.
Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.
Bonales, L. J., Colmenero, F., Cobos, J., & Timón, V. (2016). Spectroscopic Raman characterization of rutherfordine: a combined DFT and experimental study. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 18(24), 16575-16584.
Internet Links for Rutherfordine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3484.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
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 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)82:1152-1168; Angela Giblin (2004) Alligator Rivers Uranium deposits (Koongarra, Nabarlek and Ranger One) Northern Territory. CRC LEME |
| Henry, D.A., Pogson, R.E. and Williams, P.A. (2005) Threadgoldite from the South Alligator Valley uranium field, Northern Territory, Australia: second world occurrence. , Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 11, 7-11 |
| Fairclough, M.C., McAvaney, S.O. and Wilson, T.C., (compilers) 2009. South Australian Uranium Occurrences – Updated second edition |
| J. Brugger at al.: Australian Journal of Mineralogy 9(1):15-31 (2003); J. Brugger et al.: Amer. Min. 89:339-347 (2004); Lapis 29(3):41 (2004) |
Austria | |
| G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995 |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne, J.P. & Baptista, A. (1999): Famous Mineral Localities: The Sapucaia Pegmatite Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 30: 347-360 + 365 |
Canada | |
| Boulanger, R. A. (2012). Geological, petrographic and geochemical characterization of the Roughrider West Zone unconformity-type uranium deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan (Masters thesis, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina). |
| WATKINSON, D.H., HESLOP, J.B. & EWERT, W.D. (1975) Nickel sulphide-arsenide assemblages associated with uranium mineralization, Zimmer Lake area, Northern Saskatchewan. Canadian Mineralogist 13, 198-204. | |
| Jeremy Zolan |
China | |
| Aizhen Wang and Jingyi Zhang (1988): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 8(3), 272-275 |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora, J., Čejka, J., Bureš, B.: Nález vzácného karbonátu uranylu (rutherfordinu) v jáchymovském rudním revíru. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 2004, roč. 12, s. 163-166. |
| Skala, R., et al. Min.Petrol. 103,167 (2011) | |
| Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Plašil J, Sejkora J, Ondruš P, Veselovský F, Beran P, Goliáš V (2006): Supergene minerals in the Horní Slavkov uranium ore district, Czech Republic. Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51, 149-158. ; Sejkora, J. & Plasil, J. (2009): Mineralien aus dem Uranrevier Horni Slavkov. Lapis 34 (7-8), 63-67; 70 (in German). | |
DR Congo | |
| Daltry, V.D.C. (1992) The Type Mineralogy Of Africa: Zaire. Annales de la Société géologique de Belgique, 115(1), 33-62.; Deliens, M. (1996) Overzicht van de mineralogie van de koper-, kobalt- en uraniumvoorkomens in Zuid-Shaba (Zaïre). Pages 35-49 in: Schatten der Aarde. Van mineraal tot juweel. Tentoonstelling in de abdij Saint-Gérard de Brogne van 27 april tot 27 oktober 1996. Catalogus opgemaakt onder de leiding van R. Warin, AGAB en P. Van hee, MKA (in Dutch). |
| Deliens, M. (1996) Overzicht van de mineralogie van de koper-, kobalt- en uraniumvoorkomens in Zuid-Shaba (Zaïre). Pages 35-49 in: Schatten der Aarde. Van mineraal tot juweel. Tentoonstelling in de abdij Saint-Gérard de Brogne van 27 april tot 27 oktober 1996. Catalogus opgemaakt onder de leiding van R. Warin, AGAB en P. Van hee, MKA (in Dutch).; Wilson, W.E. (2018) The Musonoi mine, Kolwezi District, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mineralogical Record, 49(2), 236-304. |
| Rob Lavinsky specimen | |
| |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby, H. H. A. (2009). Role of geochemical alteration on the formation of secondary Zr-and U-bearing minerals in El Atshan trachyte, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 104(1), 37-51. |
France | |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998) |
| Le Cahier des micromonteurs, 2002, N°75, pp 8-25 |
| Le Cahier des micromonteurs, 2002, N°75, pp 8-25 |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998) |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998 |
| Caubel, A. (1997) Minéralogie du gisement d'uranium de Rabejac (Hérault). Le Règne Minéral: 13: 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; Dal Bo, F., Hatert, F., & Philippo, S. (2018). Supergene Uranyl Mineralization of the Rabejac Deposit, Lodève, France. Minerals, 8(9), 414. |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998) |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998 |
Gabon | |
| Janusz Janeczek (1999) Mineralogy and geochemistry of natural fission reactors in Gabon. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, MSA, v. 38, p. 321-392 |
Germany | |
| Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001; Schmeltzer, H. (1993): Die Grube Segen Gottes bei Schnellingen - ein polymetallisches Mineralvorkommen. Der Erzgräber, 7 (2), 34-35. |
| No reference listed |
| Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992 |
| Dill, H. G., & Weber, B. (2010). Accessory minerals of fluorite and their implication regarding the environment of formation (Nabburg–Wölsendorf fluorite district, SE Germany), with special reference to fetid fluorite (“Stinkspat”). Ore Geology Reviews, 37(2), 65-86. |
| Aufschluss 69/(7+8), Lapis 79/(7+8) |
| Desor, J. (05/2020) SEM-EDS & PXRD |
| Lapis 30(7/8):78-80 (2005) | |
Italy | |
| Vignola P., Fransolet A.-M., Guastoni A., Appiani R. (2011): Le pegmatiti di Piona. Recenti studi sui filoni Malpensata, Luna e Sommafiume. Riv. Mineral. Ital., 35, 1, 30-38. |
| Campostrini, I., Demartin, F., Gramaccioli, C.M. (2005): Val Daone. Minerali secondari del giacimento uranifero presso Limes, Daone (TN). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2005, 228-240. |
Namibia | |
| Bowell, R. J., & Davies, A. A. (2017). Assessment of supergene uranium-vanadium anomalies, Meob Bay deposit, Namibia. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 17(2), 101-112. |
New Zealand | |
| Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (2000) Mineral Commodity Report 19 - Beryllium, Gallium, Lithium, Magnesium, Uranium and Zirconium. Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd. |
Norway | |
| Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p. 103 |
| Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges Geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p. 103. |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka, K., Banaś, M. (2000): Occurrence and genetic relationships of uranium and thorium mineralization in the Karkonosze-Izera Block (The Sudety Mts, SW Poland). Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae: 70: 137-150 |
Switzerland | |
| - Meisser, N. (2012): La minéralogie de l'uranium dans le massif des Aiguilles Rouges. Matér. Géol. Suisse, Sér. géotech. 96, 183 p. |
Tanzania (TL) | |
| Centr.Min.(1906) p. 761-764; J. Geffroy, J.A. Sarcia, J. Chervet : "Les Minéraux Uranifères Français", 1960, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires / Saclay - PUF.; Frondel C, Meyrowitz R (1956) Studies of uranium minerals (XIX): rutherfordine, diderichite, and clarkeite. American Mineralogist 41, 127-133 |
UK | |
| [Journal of the Russell Society, 6(1), 17-26 (1995)] |
| Golley, P. & Williams, R. (1995): Cornish Mineral Reference Manual. Endsleigh Publications (Truro), 104 pp. |
Ukraine | |
| Burakov, B.E., Strykanova, E.E., Anderson, E.B. (): Secondary Uranium Minerals on the Surface of Chernobyl “Lava”. MRS Proceedings: 465; : http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/PROC-465-1309 |
USA | |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B. |
| Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckel |
| Januzzi, Ronald E. (1976): Mineral Localities of Connecticut and Southeastern New York State. The Mineralogical Press, Danbury, Connecticut: 192-201. |
| King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1; King, V. (ed), 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 2. |
| Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson |
| USGS (2005), Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS): U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia, loc. file ID #10037219. |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada; Jensen, M. and J. Herrmann (2012) Uranium mineralization at the Apex Mine, Lander County, Nevada. Rocks and Minerals 87:270-276 |
| Rocks & Min. 80:256 (2005); Korzeb, Stanley L., Foord, Eugene E., and Lichte, Frederick E. (1997) The chemical evolution and paragenesis of uranium minerals from the Ruggles and Palermo granitic pegmatites, New Hampshire. Canadian Mineralogist, 35, 135-144. |
| Januzzi, R.E. and Seaman, David M. (1976) Mineral Localities Of Connecticut and Southern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World. |
| Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996 |
| Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed. |
| Rocks & Min.:60:86. |
| Barton, I., Barton, M. D., & Thorson, J. (2018) Characteristics of Cu and UV Deposits in the Paradox Basin (Colorado Plateau) and Associated Alteration. Guidebook series, 59. | |
| UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah; Page, L. R.; Stocking, H. E.; Smith, H. B. (1956) Contributions to the geology of uranium and thorium by the United States Geological Survey and Atomic Energy Commission for the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1955. USGS Professional Paper 300 pp263-279 |
| UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah |
| Mandarino, J.A. (1999) Abstracts of New Mineral Descriptions (Department). The Mineralogical Record: 30(3): 231-238. |
| Charles Creekmur collection |
| Rocks & Minerals 76:386 |
| Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols; Page, L. R.; Stocking, H. E.; Smith, H. B. (1956) Contributions to the geology of uranium and thorium by the United States Geological Survey and Atomic Energy Commission for the United Nations International Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, Switzerland, 1955. USGS Professional Paper 300 pp361-370. |
Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove District, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo