Zippeita
Zippeita is a mineral with formula K₄(UO₂)₆(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₀·4H₂O, in the Sulfatos group. This specimen comes from Distrito de Grants, McKinley County, Nuevo México, Estados Unidos.
Description
Pale green adamite, well-terminated and with excellent lustre, on the typical red limonite matrix from Mapimí. The arrangement of the crystals at multiple angles and in cavities makes a fixed position on a stand difficult; well suited to 360° viewing. Very intense fluorescence under UV light.
History of this specimen
It retains the original species and provenance label and collection marks on its base, but I have not been able to associate it with any specific collector prior to Francisco Becerra.
About Zippeita
NEOFORMATION. Hydrated potassium hydroxyuranyl sulphate produced by the alteration of uranium minerals; fluorescent under UV.
About the locality
The Grants District, New Mexico, was one of the major uranium-mining centres in the United States during the 20th century. Its mines produced various secondary uranium species, including zippeite, autunite and meta-uranocircite.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0252
- Composition
- K₄(UO₂)₆(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₀·4H₂O
- Name
- Zippeita
- Group
- Sulfatos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- Matrix
- Roca limonítica
- Mine
- Distrito de Grants
- Province
- McKinley County
- Region
- Nuevo México
- Country
- Estados Unidos
- Size (cm)
- 2 x 1 x 1
- Etymology
- Named in honour of Franz Xaver Zippe (1791–1863), Czech mineralogist.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
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- Barita (Azul) — España
- Barita (Azul) — España