Rabbittite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rabbittite
John Charles Rabbitt
Formula:
Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O
Colour:
Pale green
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.57
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Mary E. Thompson, Alice D. Weeks, and Alexander M. Sherwood in 1954 after John "Jack" Charles Rabbitt (3 November 1907, Butte, Montana, USA - 10 June 1957, Washington, D.C., USA), geochemist of the United States Geological Survey and chief of the Trace Elements Section from 1947 to 1953, in recognition of the leadership and inspiration he gave to the members of that laboratory.
This page provides mineralogical data about Rabbittite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3347
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3347:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
756c024b-0a9f-4b07-8e1f-49b92924b900
IMA Classification of Rabbittite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1955
Classification of Rabbittite
5.ED.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
16b.7.3.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
11.11.14
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rab | 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 Rabbittite
Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale green
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to the c-axis. Under the microscope the crystals show a cleavage across the fibers, which is probably parallel to {001}, and two easy and perfect prismatic cleavages.
Parallel to the c-axis. Under the microscope the crystals show a cleavage across the fibers, which is probably parallel to {001}, and two easy and perfect prismatic cleavages.
Density:
2.57 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.69 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured using mixture of bromoform and acetone
Optical Data of Rabbittite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.502(5) nβ = 1.508(2) nγ = 1.525(5)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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:
Low
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Comments:
2V(meas.) = Large.
Chemistry of Rabbittite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O
Crystallography of Rabbittite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 32.6(1) Å, b = 23.8(1) Å, c = 9.45(3) Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.37 : 1 : 0.397
Unit Cell V:
7,332.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.24 Å | (100) |
| 7.79 Å | (80) |
| 4.37 Å | (80) |
| 4.71 Å | (70) |
| 5.83 Å | (50b) |
| 4.81 Å | (50) |
| 1.28 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Rabbittite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Bundles of pale-green extremely small acicular crystals. Some crystals are bent and twisted, in a manner similar to talc.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 105099.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112741, 162619.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112741, 162619.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Efflorescence on a pillar of high-grade ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Thompson, M.E., Weeks, A.D., Sherwood, A.M. (1955) Rabbittite, a new uranyl carbonate from Utah. American Mineralogist, 40, 201-206.
Other Language Names for Rabbittite
German:Rabbittit
Spanish:Rabbittita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Rabbittite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 3 photos of Rabbittite associated with Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 2 photos of Rabbittite associated with Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
| 2 photos of Rabbittite associated with Pitchblende | UO2 |
| 1 photo of Rabbittite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabbittite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.ED. | Paramarkeyite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5H2O |
| 5.ED. | Pendevilleite-(Y) | Mg2Y3Al(UO2)2(CO3)7(OH)6(H2O)16 |
| 5.ED.05 | Bayleyite | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.10 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O |
| 5.ED.15 | Albrechtschraufite | Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O |
| 5.ED.20 | Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 5.ED.30 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.35 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.ED.40 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] |
| 5.ED.45 | Znucalite | Zn10Ca0.83(UO2)0.83(CO3)4(OH)15.31(H2O)5.48 |
| 5.ED.50 | Čejkaite | Na4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.50 | Agricolaite | K4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.55 | Línekite | K2Ca3[(UO2)(CO3)3]2 · 8H2O |
| 5.ED.55 | Braunerite | K2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.60 | Leószilárdite | Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Pseudomarkeyite | Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)12 · 21H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Markeyite | Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 28H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Natromarkeyite | Na2Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 27H2O |
| 5.ED.70 | Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
Other Information
Notes:
Effervesces in dilute HCl and slowly soluble in cold water
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 Rabbittite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3347.html
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References for Rabbittite
Localities for Rabbittite
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 | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Dr. Jaroslav Hyrsl | |
| Jeff Weisman | |
Germany | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| collection H.J. Haas |
Russia | |
| Igor V. Pekov and Anatoly Kasatkin analytical data (2011) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Thompson et al. (1955) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Bullock (1981) |
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Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic