Rutherfordine	IMA-GP
Uranium	(Dana Classification Number)
(Images)	5/F.01-10 (Strunz ID)

Ernest Rutherford

Property	Data	Remarks
Named for:	Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937), New Zealander, Professor of Physics at Cambridge University, and Nobel prize winner (1908) for research on nuclear physics
Alternate     Name(s):	Diderichit Diderichita Diderichite
Mineral Class:	Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates   Uranylcarbonates - [UO2]+2 - [CO3]-2     Rutherfordine - Joliotite series
Chemical     Formula:	UO2CO3
Chemical     Composition:	Carbon: (C) 3.64% Oxygen: (O) 24.24% Uranium: (U) 72.12%	by weight
Molecular     Weight:	330.04	daltons (amu)
Specific     Radioactivity:	(All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen) Specific Activity Dose Rate Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour 1.29098 × 1005 3.49 × 10-06 1.69 169.02 Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
Crystalography:	System:   Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal Axial Ratios: a: 0.5263 0.5249    †  b: 1 1    †  c: 0.4667 0.4686    †  Cell Dimensions: a: 4.845 Å 4.85 Å    †  b: 9.205 Å 9.24 Å    †  c: 4.296 Å 4.33 Å    †  Z: 2 V: 191.59 Å3   DenCalc: 5.72   H-M Symbol:   2/m 2/m 2/m Space Group:   Pmmm X-Ray Diffraction:   By Intensity ( I/Io ) (1): 4.6 Å 4.6 Å    †  (0.9): 3.21 Å   (0.8): 4.29 Å   (0.7): &bsp; 4.3 Å    †  (0.4): &bsp; 3.23 Å    †  (0.3): &bsp; 3.92 Å    †	Rutherfordine Crystal (As Observed)
Habit:	Encrustations Platy crystals < 1 mm
Cleavage:	[001] Distinct [100] Perfect [100]
Fracture:
Moh's     Hardness:
Density:	5.7	grams/cm3
Color:	Brownish, Brownish yellow, White, Light brown orange, or Light yellow
Streak:	Yellow to White
Luster:	Earthy, (Silky    † )
Diaphaneity:	Transparent to Translucent
Pleochroism:	(x):   (y:)   (z:)
Ultra Violet     Fluorescence:	Long Wave: Green to Yellowish green Short Wave: Green to Yellowish green
Magnetism:	Non-magnetic
Occurance:	Secondary alteration product of Uraninite.
Associated     Minerals:	Aragonite, Arsenopyrite, Autunite, Azurite, Barite, Becquerelite, Calcite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Coffinite, Copper, Covellite, Cuprosklodowskite, Dolomite, Fluorite, Galena, Goethite, Gypsum, Hematite, Kasolite, Liebigite, Malachite, Meta-Autunite, Metatorbernite, Metazeunerite, Muscovite, Novácekite, Phosphuranylite, Pyrite, Quartz, Saléeite, Schoepite, Sklodowskite, Sphalerite, Torbernite, Uraninite, Uranophane, Uranophane-beta, Uranopilite, Vandendriesscheite, Wolsendorfite, Zeunerite, Zippeite Mineral   -   > 50% of sites Mineral   -   > 40% of sites Mineral   -   > 20% of sites Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium mineral links	These are minerals known to be found with Rutherfordine
Locations:	Relatively common uranium mineral Rutherfordine Locations
Notes:	Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays. Crystals are probably metamict. Being a carbonate, Rutherfordine will react with acids, liberating carbon dioxide (CO2).  †  J.H. Bernard and J. Hyrsl, Minerals and their Localities.

Rutherfordine Images

Specimen Top
(001a)	(001b)	(001c)	(001d)
	(001e)
Uluguru Mts, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Specimen Notes Occurrence - The Rutherfordine occurs as an encrustation on talc and silica petrified wood, which also includes what appears to be Uraninite petrified wood, which is best seen in the high resolution images (001a), (001b), (001d) and (001e). The cell structure is more obvious by eye under a microscope. Images (001d) and (001e) have little or no Rutherfordine, but are included to show the matrix on which it occurs. The specimen also has yellow and greenish-yellow encrustations seen in images (001d) and (001e). It is not known what mineral these are, or if the yellow and greenish-yellow substances are the same mineral. Crystals - Several ~0.5 mm partially exposed crystals can be seen in images (001a) through (001c), appearing as flat plates ~0.05 mm thick. These larger crystals all occur on the talc. The crystal model is based on these images. Clusters of crystals under 0.1 mm in size appear elsewhere, particularly on the silica petrified wood. They were not photographed due to their not being readily visable except under U.V. light. These smaller crystals appear to be elongated. Crystal clusters have their axes aligned when in contact or very close proximetry, as seen in images (001a) and (001c). Seperation by even a short distance allows the crystals to mis-align their axes, seen in image (001b). The crystals do not have any obvious striations on the {010} face, parallel to the (001) axis, as reported in Dana's New Mineralogy. Appearence - The Rutherfordine crystals have a distinct appearance, standing out readily on the amorphous talc. On the silica petrified wood, they are nearly invisable Diaphaniety - The crystals are all translucent. Luster - The crystals have an earthy luster, but with a somewhat 'soft', silky texture. Ultra Violet Fluorescence - The Rutherfordine is very fluorescent, and can be easily be seen in its own light under 6 Watt long or short wave U.V. light. The smaller crystals were only found by using U.V. light, as they are not obvious on the silica petrified wood. The short wave fluorescence is somewhat weaker than the long wave fluorescence. In addition, on the large crystals, the fluorescence is stronger on the four edges than on the main pinacoid under short wave U. V. light. The main pinachoids fluoresce as brightly as the edge facets under long wave U.V. light. The small crystals were too small to observe where the fluorescence was concentratd on their body. The Uraninite is non-fluorescent. The talc is weakly fluorescent a washed out pink color. This makes the specimen visable inder U.V. light, as it is mostly talc. The yellow and greenish-yellow encrustations seen in images (001d) and (001e) are non-fluorescent. Specimen Physical Properties Size 1.65 cm 1.52 cm 1.02 cm (less glue & foam) Weight: 15.00 grams   (includes a fragment of glue and foam from prior mounting) g-Radiation Level:   cmp   msieverts background: 20 cpm