RUTHERFORDINE

    Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Uranyl carbonates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : UO2CO3
    Rarity : Uncommon

Rutherfordine belongs to the family of uranium carbonates, rare secondary minerals that arise in the superficial oxidation zones of some uranium deposits. Although rare, it is one of the most common uranium carbonates, and the only non-hydrated supergene mineral of uranium. It was named in honor of Lord Ernest Rutherford of Nelson, Professor of Atomic Physics and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry in 1908. Rutherfordine crystals form elongated blades or needles of up to 3 mm, usually grouped in fibrous aggregates or rosettes. Its color is pale yellowish to pale greenish, sometimes orange or brown.

Main photo : Rutherfordine from Shinkolobwe, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo © Elmar Lackner

Rutherfordine from La Dorgissière Mine, Deux-Sèvres, France © Jean-Marc Johannet
Rutherfordine from Musonoï, Katanga, DR Congo © Uwe Haubenreisser
Rutherfordine from Musonoï, Katanga, DR Congo © Elmar Lackner
Rutherfordine from Johannesschacht Mine, Bavaria, Germany © Elmar Lackner

Rutherfordine in the World

Rutherfordine is known in pseudomorph after uraninite in the Morogoro pegmatite (Tanzania). The most acicular crystals, grouped in sheaves, come from Shinkolobwe (Kantanga, Democratic Republic of Congo). The neighboring Musonoï deposit has also provided beautiful specimens of this mineral which is perhaps more frequent than is admitted.

Rutherfordine in France

In France, rutherfordine is present in the Rabejac uranium deposit (Hérault), associated with uranophane. It is also known at the Bel Air mine and the Dorgissière mine (Deux-Sèvres) and it is reported at Liauzun (Puy-de-Dôme).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : Undetermined
Density : 5.7
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.700 to 1.795
Birefringence : 0.055 to 0.072
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong