Zippeite

 IMA-A 1971-02a
Uranium 31.10.4.1
(Dana Classification Number)
(Images) 4/D.20-40
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Franz Xaver Maxmillian Zippe(1791-1863), Austrian mineralogist
Alternate
    Name(s):
  • Dauberite
  • Uranblüthe
    		•   
    Mineral Class:
    Sulfates,Chromates,Molybdates and Tungstates
      Uranylsulfates [UO2]+2 - [SO4]-2
        Uranopilite - Rabejacite series
    		 
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 K4(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 4H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Hydrogen: (H) 0.79%
    Oxygen: (O) 26.35%
    Potassium: (K) 6.78%
    Sulfur: (S) 4.17%
    Uranium: (U) 61.91%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 2,306.88 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

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

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour
    1.10819 × 1005 3.00 × 10-06 1.50 150.11

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Orthorhombic, or
    Monoclinic - Prismatic
    Axial Ratios: a:b:c =0.6234:1:0.6263
    Cell Dimensions: a = 8.81, b = 14.13, c = 8.85, Z = 1; beta = 104.25° V = 1,067.80 Den(Calc)= 3.59
    H-M Symbol: 2/m
    Space Group: C2/m
    X Ray Diffraction: By Intensity(I/Io): 7.06(1) 3.12(0.9) 3.51(0.8)
    		 
    Habit:
  • Encrustations
  • Compact masses
  • Pulverulent
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [???] Perfect
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 2  
    Density: 3.66 - 3.7+ grams/cm3
    Color: Golden-yellow to orange-yellow, sometimes brown  
    Streak: Pale yellow to Yellow white  
    Luster: Earthy  
    Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent  
    Pleochroism:
    (x): Colorless
    (y:) Pale yellow
    (z:) Yellow
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave: Bright yellow (color varies with specimen)
    Short Wave: Bright yellow (color varies with specimen)
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • A secondary mineral from Uraninite.
  • A common efflorescent crust in uranium mines.
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Aragonite, Arsenopyrite, Autunite, Azurite, 'Barite', Becquerelite, Bismuth, Bismuthinite, Bornite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Coffinite, Copper, Covellite, Dolomite, Erythrite, Fluorite, Galena, Goethite, Gypsum, Hematite, Johannite, Liebigite, Malachite, Marcasite, Meta-Autunite, Metatorbernite, Metazeunerite, Novácekite, Phosphuranylite, Pyrite, Quartz, Safflorite, Schoepite, Siderite, Skutterudite, Sphalerite, Torbernite, Uraninite, Uranophane, Uranopilite, Zeunerite

    Mineral   -   > 68% of sites
    Mineral   -   > 50% of sites
    Mineral   -   > 25% of sites
    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Zippeite
    Locations:

    Relatively common mineral in underground uranium mines

    Zippeite Locations
    Notes:

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

    Crystals are probably metamict.

    Zippeite Images

    Specimen #1
    (01a) (01b)

    in Uraninite
    UV Fluorescenece
    (001a) (001b) (001c)

    in Uraninite
    in Uraninite
    in Uraninite
    (001d) (001e) (001f)

    in Uraninite
    in Uraninite
    in Uraninite
    Jackpile Mine, Laguna District, Cibole City, New Mexico


    Specimen Notes

    Occurrence -  

     

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    Specimen Physical Properties
    Weight: x grams    
    g-Radiation Level:   cmp   msieverts background: 20 cpm