Magnesium-Zippeite

 IMA-A 1971-007; 2000-G
Uranium  
(Dana Classification Number)
(No Images) 6/D.20-50
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Franz Xaver Maxmillian Zippe (1791-1863), Austrian mineralogist, and its magnesium content
Alternate
    Name(s):
  • Magnesiumzippeite
  • Mg-Zippeite
  • Zippeite-magnesium
  • Zippeite-Mg
    		•   
    Mineral Class:
    Sulfates,Chromates,Molybdates and Tungstates
      Uranylsulfates [UO2]+2 - [SO4]-2
        Uranopilite - Rabejacite series
    		 
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Hydrogen: (H) 0.93%
    Magnesium: (Mg) 3.22%
    Oxygen: (O) 28.59%
    Sulfur: (S) 4.24%
    Uranium: (U) 63.01%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 755.48 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

    (All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen)

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRADs/hour microSieverts
    1.12796 × 1005 3.05 × 10-06 1.53 15.29

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 3.6 RAD (3.6 centiSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Monoclinic - Prismatic
    Axial Ratios: a: 0.6102
    b: 1
    c: 1.249
    Cell Dimensions: a: 8.654 Å
    b: 14.182 Å
    c: 17.714 Å
    Z: 6
    b: 103.92°
    V: 2,110.21 Å3
    DenCalc: 3.57
    H-M Symbol: 2/m
    Space Group: C 2/m
    X-Ray Diffraction:
      By Intensity ( I/Io )    		 (1): 3.58 Å
    (0.8): 3.48 Å
    (0.8): 7.2 Å
    		 
    Habit:
  • Encrustations
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [001]  
    [010]  
    [100]  
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 2, or 5 - 5.5 Hardness of 2 believed to be cohesive 'hardness' of packed microcrystals
    Density: 4.3 grams/cm3
    Color: Yellow, Yellowish orange  
    Streak:    
    Luster: Earthy  
    Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent  
    Pleochroism:
    (x):  
    (y:)  
    (z:)  
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:  
    Short Wave:  
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Secondary mineral formed at low pH (<5) from the oxidation of sulfides in uranium-bearing deposits
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Bieberite, Coquimbite, Epsomite, Galena, Gypsum, Halotrichite, Hematite, Johannite, Pyrite, Rabbittite, Sodium-Zippeite, Uranopilite

    Mineral   -   67% of sites
    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Magnesium-Zippeite
    Localities:

    Very rare

    Magnesium-Zippeite locaalities
    Notes:

    Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays.

    Crystals are probably metamic.