Schmitterite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Schmitterite
Formula:
(UO2)(TeO3)
Colour:
Very pale straw yellow, colourless to pale yellow
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
6.878
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of Eduardo Schmitter Villada (21 June 1904, Toluca, Mexico - 1982(?)), Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology at the National University of Mexico and also Research Petrologist at the Mexican Institute of Geology at the University.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3570
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3570:1
IMA Classification of Schmitterite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(UO2)(Te4+O3)
First published:
1971
Classification of Schmitterite
4.JK.70
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
K : Tellurites without additional anions, without H2O
Dana 7th ed.:
34.1.7.1
34.1.6.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
1 : A(XO3)
28.3.19
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
3 : Tellurites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sci | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Schmitterite
Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Very pale straw yellow, colourless to pale yellow
Hardness:
1 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Waxy
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{100}
{100}
Density:
6.878 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.916 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Schmitterite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Comments:
X = c; Y = b; Z = a
α = n.d.; β = 2.05; γ > 2.11
α = n.d.; β = 2.05; γ > 2.11
Chemistry of Schmitterite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)(TeO3)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Schmitterite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.860(4) Å, b = 10.089(2) Å, c = 5.363(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.779 : 1 : 0.532
Unit Cell V:
425.28 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Space Group: P21ab (synthetic).
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009479 | Schmitterite | Meunier G, Galy J (1973) Structure cristalline de la schmitterite synthetique UTeO5 Acta Crystallographica B29 1251-1255 |  | 1973 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0009637 | Schmitterite | Loopstra B O, Brandenburg N P (1978) Uranyl selenite and uranyl tellurite Acta Crystallographica B34 1335-1337 | | 1978 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.682 Å | (100) |
| 5.35 Å | (90) |
| 3.099 Å | (90) |
| 4.73 Å | (80) |
| 3.170 Å | (80) |
| 1.971 Å | (70) |
| 1.549 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Schmitterite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Institute of Geology, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., specimen 122475.
Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Museum, Washington, D.C., specimen 122475.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Schmitterite
Other Language Names for Schmitterite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 24 photos of Schmitterite associated with Emmonsite | Fe3+2(TeO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Schmitterite associated with Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 5 photos of Schmitterite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Schmitterite associated with Mackayite | Fe3+(Te4+2O5)(OH) |
| 1 photo of Schmitterite associated with Zemannite | Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 1 photo of Schmitterite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JK. | Matthiasweilite | PbTe4+O3 |
| 4.JK.05 | Walfordite | (Fe3+,Te6+)Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.05 | Winstanleyite | TiTe4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.10 | Spiroffite | Mn2+2Te4+3O8 |
| 4.JK.15 | Balyakinite | Cu(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.20 | Rajite | Cu(Te4+2O5) |
| 4.JK.25 | Carlfriesite | CaTe4+2Te6+O8 |
| 4.JK.30 | Chenzhangruite | MnFe2+Te4+4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Stankeithite | Mn2+Mn2+Te4+4 O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
| 4.JK.35 | Chekhovichite | Bi2Te4+4O11 |
| 4.JK.40 | Smirnite | Bi2Te4+O5 |
| 4.JK.45 | Choloalite | (Cu,Sb)3(Pb,Ca)3(TeO3)6Cl |
| 4.JK.50 | Fairbankite | Pb2+12(Te4+O3)11(SO4) |
| 4.JK.55 | Plumbotellurite | Pb(TeO3) |
| 4.JK.60 | Magnolite | [Hg2]2+[Te4+O3] |
| 4.JK.65 | Moctezumite | Pb(UO2)(TeO3)2 |
| 4.JK.75 | Cliffordite | (UO2)Te4+3O7 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 53.4145% | 13,353,625 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
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 Schmitterite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3570.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Schmitterite
Reference List:
Gaines, Richard V. (1971) Schmitterite - a new uranyl tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora. American Mineralogist, 56 (3-4) 411-415
Gaines, Richard V. (1971) Schmitterite - a new uranyl tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora. American Mineralogist, 56 (3-4) 411-415
Swihart, George H., Gupta, Pradip K. Sen, Schlemper, Elmer O., Back, Malcolm E., Gaines, Richard V. (1993) The crystal structure of moctezumite [PbUO2](TeO3)2. American Mineralogist, 78 (7-8) 835-839
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Localities for Schmitterite
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.
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
Mexico | |
| |
| Lapis 2001 (1) | |
| Gaines (1971) |
| Lapis 2001 (1) | |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
Norway | |
| Rumsey et al. (2018) |
Quick NavTopAbout SchmitteriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico