Fersmite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Fersmite
Post stamp with academic A. E. Fersman portrait.
Formula:
CaNb2O6
Previously given as (Ca,Ce,Na)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(O,OH,F)6.
Colour:
Black, dark brown, lemon-yellow to yellow-brown
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
4.78 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1946 by Elsa Maximilianovna Bohnstedt-Kupletskaya and T. A. Burova in honour of academic Aleksandr Evgenievich Fersman (November 8, 1883 St. Petersburg, Russia - May 20, 1945 Sochi, Georgia), mineralogist, founder of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum in Moscow, Russia. The mineral fersmanite is also named after him.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1539
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1539:0
IMA Classification of Fersmite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Fersmite
4.DG.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
G : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
G : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; chains of edge-sharing octahedra
8.3.3.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
18.2.12
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
2 : Niobates and tantalates containing rare earths but not U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fsm | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Fersmite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Fersmite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Black, dark brown, lemon-yellow to yellow-brown
Streak:
Grayish brown
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=572 - 593 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100}
{100}
Parting:
present
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
4.78 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fersmite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.07 nβ = 2.08 nγ = 2.19
2V:
Measured: 20° to 25°, Calculated: 36°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.120
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = Y = pale greenish yellow to colorless; Z = dark greenish yellow to olive-yellow
Chemistry of Fersmite
Mindat Formula:
CaNb2O6
Previously given as (Ca,Ce,Na)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(O,OH,F)6.
Previously given as (Ca,Ce,Na)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2(O,OH,F)6.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Fersmite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.926(4) Å, b = 5.752(4) Å, c = 5.204(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.595 : 1 : 0.905
Unit Cell V:
446.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
prismatic crystals
Comment:
commonly metamict
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000196 | Fersmite | Cummings J P, Simonsen S H (1970) The crystal structure of calcium niobate (CaNb2O6) American Mineralogist 55 90-97 |  | 1970 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0012371 | Fersmite | Gurbanova O A, Rastsvetaeva R K, Kashaev A A, Smolin A S (2001) Refined crystal structure of TR-fersmite (TR = Ce) Crystallography Reports 46 194-195 | 2001 | Ust'-Biran deposit | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.049 Å | (100) |
| 3.762 Å | (21) |
| 1.527 Å | (15) |
| 2.493 Å | (14) |
| 1.183 Å | (13) |
| 1.211 Å | (11) |
| 1.967 Å | (10) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
accessory mineral in nepheline syenites and carbonatites.
Type Occurrence of Fersmite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 44383, 44384
Other Language Names for Fersmite
Relationship of Fersmite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Euxenite Group:
| Euxenite-(Y) | (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Kobeite-(Y) | (Y,U)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6 (?) | Iso. |
| Loranskite-(Y) | (Y,Ce,Ca)ZrTaO6 (?) | |
| Tanteuxenite-(Y) | Y(Ta,Nb,Ti)2(O,OH)6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Uranopolycrase | (U4+,Y)(Ti,Nb)2O6 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Yttrocrasite-(Y) | (Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)2(O,OH)6 | Amor. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Fersmite associated with Microlite Group | A2-mTa2X6-wZ-n |
| 4 photos of Fersmite associated with Uranmicrolite (of Hogarth 1977) | (Ca,U,Na)2-x(Ta,Nb)2(O,OH)7 |
| 3 photos of Fersmite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Fersmite associated with Svanbergite | SrAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Fersmite associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Fersmite associated with Lueshite | NaNbO3 |
| 2 photos of Fersmite associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| 1 photo of Fersmite associated with Ancylite-(Ce) | CeSr(CO3)2(OH) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Fersmite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 1 photo of Fersmite associated with Hydroxycalciopyrochlore | (Ca,Na,U,◻)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DG.05 | Uranopolycrase | (U4+,Y)(Ti,Nb)2O6 |
| 4.DG.05 | Yttrocrasite-(Y) | (Y,Th,Ca,U)(Ti,Fe)2(O,OH)6 |
| 4.DG.05 | Tanteuxenite-(Y) | Y(Ta,Nb,Ti)2(O,OH)6 |
| 4.DG.05 | Loranskite-(Y) | (Y,Ce,Ca)ZrTaO6 (?) |
| 4.DG.05 | Euxenite-(Y) | (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)2O6 |
| 4.DG.05 | Kobeite-(Y) | (Y,U)(Ti,Nb)2(O,OH)6 (?) |
| 4.DG.10 | Yttrotantalite-(Y) | (Y,U,Fe2+)(Ta,Nb)(O,OH)4 |
| 4.DG.10 | Clinofergusonite-(Y) | YNbO4 |
| 4.DG.10 | Clinofergusonite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce)NbO4 |
| 4.DG.10 | Clinofergusonite-(Ce) | CeNbO4 |
| 4.DG.15 | Foordite | Sn2+Nb2O6 |
| 4.DG.15 | Thoreaulite | Sn2+Ta2O6 |
| 4.DG.20 | Raspite | Pb(WO4) |
Fluorescence of Fersmite
Fluoresces yellow-green to bluish green under SW and LW UV; light blue cathodoluminescence
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fersmite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1539.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Fersmite
Localities for Fersmite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Johns-Mead et al. (2024) |
| Fetherston (2004) |
Austria | |
| Postl et al. (1987) |
| Mali (2004) |
| Mali (2004) | |
Brazil | |
| Gomes et al. (2023) |
| Gomes et al. (2023) | |
| Beurlen et al. (2008) |
| Beurlen +4 other references |
| Comin-Chiaramonti et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| GJ Simandl (1991) +2 other references |
| Chudy T et al. (2014) |
| George J. Simandl (2001) | |
| Blue River Carbonatites et al. (http://www.commerceresources.com/i/pdf/05-BCGOVRREPORT.pdf) | |
| Berger et al. (2009) | |
| Jennifer Pell (1994) +2 other references |
| Paul (1984) +1 other reference |
| Bannatyne (1985) |
| Camacho et al. (2014) |
| Papoutsa et al. (2013) |
| McLaughlin (1990) |
| Savard (2019) |
| D. Turner and L.A. Groat (2010) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Shi Li (1980) +4 other references |
| Yi-Li et al. (2023) +3 other references |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) +1 other reference | |
| Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) | |
| Wu et al. (2023) +1 other reference |
| Xue et al. (2021) |
| Xue et al. (2021) | |
| Lin et al. (1995) |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Novak et al. (2010) +2 other references |
| Ddolníček Z et al. (2020) |
| Novák | |
| Sejkora +2 other references | |
| Sejkora et al. (2020) |
| Novák et al. (1996) |
| Výravský et al. (2017) |
DR Congo | |
| www.handbookofmineralogy.com (2012) +1 other reference |
| Voloshin A.V. (1988) |
France | |
| MONCHOUX P. et al. (2006) |
Germany | |
| Hentschel (1990) |
| Hentschel (1990) | |
| Hentschel (1990) |
| Hentschel (1990) |
Greenland | |
| Petersen (2001) |
| Bohse et al. (2001) | |
India | |
| Acharya et al. (1982) |
| Chakrabarty et al. (2018) |
Italy | |
| Guastoni et al. (2010) |
| Grill (1935) |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| |
| Mattioli (1979 a) +8 other references |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Callegari A. et al. (4) | |
| Albertini (2011) | |
| Gamboni et al. (2001) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Stepanov et al. (2012) |
Madagascar | |
| Pezzotta (1999) |
| De Vito et al. (2006) | |
Mongolia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Kartashov P.M. et al. (Mongolian Altai) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
Mozambique | |
| Moiana (2010) |
North Korea | |
| Kim et al. (2023) |
Norway | |
| Larsen (2001) |
| Nordrum (2008) +1 other reference |
| Husdal (2023) |
| Pršek et al. (2010) |
| Raade (1993) |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Larsen (2021) |
Poland | |
| PIECZKA et al. 2010: Nb-Ta minerals in ... |
| SZUSZKIEWICZ et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
| Evans et al. (2018) |
| Pieczka et al. (2024) |
| Pieczka et al. (2024) | |
| Pieczka (2006) +3 other references |
Romania | |
| Pál Molnár (2000) |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2013) |
| Săbău (2010) |
Russia | |
| Makagonov et al. (2017) |
| Sorokina et al. (2019) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2015) | |
| Nedosekova (2007) +1 other reference | |
| Popova et al. (2018) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
| webmineral.ru (2016) | |
| Попова et al. (2019) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2015) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (1999) |
| Vital'Evna (2021) |
| Igor.V. Pekov (2008) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2015) |
Slovakia | |
| Uher |
| Huraiová et al. (2019) |
| Uher P. et al. (2018) |
| Uher et al. (Považský Inovec) |
| Uher P. +1 other reference | |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| VERWOERD (1986) |
South Korea | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Ковальчук et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
| Casillas et al. (2011) | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
Sri Lanka | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2011) +1 other reference |
Sweden | |
| Sandström et al. (2010) |
| Sandström et al. (2010) | |
| Sandström et al. (2010) | |
Tajikistan | |
| Pautov et al. (2022) |
Tanzania | |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (2015) |
UK | |
| Knorring et al. (1984) |
USA | |
| Philpotts et al. (1998) |
| Philpotts et al. (1998) |
| Howard (1987) |
| Barwood (1989) |
| Min News (2000) | |
| Rocks and Mineral: 1998: 168 & 178 +1 other reference |
| Foord et al. (1978) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| USGS Prof Paper 649 +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Wang et al. (2023) +2 other references |
| Buchholz et al. (2014) |
| Am Min (1959) +1 other reference |
| Heinrich et al. (1961) | |
| Gammons et al. (2024) | |
| Nashua Min. Soc. Display Cat. |
| Chris O'Neill and Travis Olds |
| Rocks and Minerals +2 other references |
| a classic locality revisited. The Canadian Mineralogist (2) +1 other reference |
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