Zellerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zellerite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O
Colour:
Light lemon-yellow
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.25
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Howard Davis Zeller (24 December 1922, Warren, Ohio, USA - 14 April 2009, Denver, Colorado, USA), geologist with the United States Geological Survey who discovered the mineral.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Zellerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4391
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4391:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7921af0b-d13f-4fa6-b7b1-bb424f2734f6
IMA Classification of Zellerite
Approved
Approval year:
1965
First published:
1966
Classification of Zellerite
5.EC.10
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
15.3.1.1
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
11.11.7
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 |
---|---|---|
Zel | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Zellerite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Zellerite
Dull
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Light lemon-yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
one parallel to elongation
one parallel to elongation
Density:
3.25(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.242 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zellerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.536(5) nβ = 1.559(5) nγ = 1.697(5)
2V:
Measured: 25° to 30°, Calculated: 48°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.161
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:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X=Y= colorless; Z = pale yellow
Chemistry of Zellerite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O
Crystallography of Zellerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.220(15) Å, b = 19.252(16) Å, c = 4.933(16) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.583 : 1 : 0.256
Unit Cell V:
1,065.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2.; Space Group: Pmmm or Pmn21.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
9.66 Å | (100) |
4.848 Å | (50) |
5.591 Å | (35) |
3.651 Å | (35) |
4.407 Å | (25) |
7.33 Å | (18) |
2.947 Å | (13) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Zellerite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 112827.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Coleman, R.G., D.R. Ross, Meyrowitz, R. (1966) Zellerite and metazellerite, new uranyl carbonates. American Mineralogist: 51: 1567–1578.
Synonyms of Zellerite
Other Language Names for Zellerite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
13 photos of Zellerite associated with Voglite | Ca2Cu(UO2)(CO3)4 · 6H2O |
6 photos of Zellerite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
6 photos of Zellerite associated with Ewingite | Mg8Ca8(UO2)24(CO3)30O4(OH)12(H2O)138 |
5 photos of Zellerite associated with Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
3 photos of Zellerite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
2 photos of Zellerite associated with Metazellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 3H2O |
2 photos of Zellerite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
2 photos of Zellerite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
1 photo of Zellerite associated with Goethite | α-Fe3+O(OH) |
1 photo of Zellerite associated with Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.EC.05 | Fontanite | Ca(UO2)3(CO3)4 · 3H2O |
5.EC.10 | Metazellerite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 3H2O |
5.EC.15 | Ewingite | Mg8Ca8(UO2)24(CO3)30O4(OH)12(H2O)138 |
5.EC.20 | Meyrowitzite | Ca(UO2)(CO3)2 · 5H2O |
Fluorescence of Zellerite
Fluoresces patchy green under SW and LW UV
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
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 Zellerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4391.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Zellerite
Reference List:
Coleman, R. G., Ross, D. R., Meyrowitz, R. (1966) Zellerite and metazellerite, new uranyl carbonates. American Mineralogist, 51 (11-12) 1567-1578
Localities for Zellerite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Canada | |
| Analysis: XRD Thomas Witzke |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
Stephan Wolfsried collection | |
| Specimen from Jakub Plasil. In the ... |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 2) |
France | |
| Frédéric Bonnet Collection |
| [Le Cahier des Micromonteurs |
- (1998) | |
Germany | |
| Möhn et al. (07/2020) |
Norway | |
| Collected by (Sigurd Stordal) |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu P. et al. (2004) |
Russia | |
| Collected by Pavel Martynov & Tim ... |
Slovakia | |
| Števko M. et al. (2012) |
USA | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
| Jim Hall |
| Am Min 51:1567-1578 |
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Belorechensk deposit, Maykopsky District, Adygea, Russia