Zemannite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zemannite
Josef Zemann
Formula:
Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O
Colour:
Light brown to dark brown
Lustre:
Adamantine
Specific Gravity:
4.36 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named after Josef Zemann (25 May 1923, Vienna, Austria - 16 October 2022, Vienna, Austria), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Vienna (Austria), in recognition of his outstanding work in crystallography, crystal chemistry, optical mineralogy and spectroscopy, and other fields. In particular, his contributions to the knowledge of tellurium and selenium oxysalts.
He studied mineralogy at the University of Vienna, where he received his PhD for work with Felix Machatschki in 1946. Zemann worked with Martin J. Buerger at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1951 and 1952. He became director of the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of the University of Göttingen. From 1967 until his retirement in 1989 he was head of the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of the University of Vienna.
He studied mineralogy at the University of Vienna, where he received his PhD for work with Felix Machatschki in 1946. Zemann worked with Martin J. Buerger at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1951 and 1952. He became director of the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of the University of Göttingen. From 1967 until his retirement in 1989 he was head of the Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography of the University of Vienna.
Zn-analogue of kinichilite and keystoneite. Fe-analogue of ilirneyite.
According to Mandarino et al. (1976) zemannite has zeolite-like framework of negatively charged [Zn^2(TeO^3)^3], with large channels parallel to [0001].
According to Mandarino et al. (1976) zemannite has zeolite-like framework of negatively charged [Zn^2(TeO^3)^3], with large channels parallel to [0001].
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4392
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4392:8
IMA Classification of Zemannite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · nH2O (3≤n≤4.5)
Approval year:
1968
First published:
1969
Classification of Zemannite
4.JM.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
M : Tellurites without additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
M : Tellurites without additional anions, with H2O
34.3.2.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
3 : A2(XO3)3·xH2O
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
3 : A2(XO3)3·xH2O
28.3.8
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zem | 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 Zemannite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Light brown to dark brown
Streak:
White
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Comment:
Quite soft.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Density:
4.36(8) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured as >4.05.
Optical Data of Zemannite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.85 nε = 1.93
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Dichroic with ω = reddish brown and ε = yellowish brown.
Comments:
Absorption, ω > ε.
Chemistry of Zemannite
Mindat Formula:
Mg0.5ZnFe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Zemannite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P3
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.41(2) Å, c = 7.64(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.812
Unit Cell V:
585.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Prisms with bipyramidal terminations, {1010} and {1011}.
Twinning:
None observed.
Comment:
For a long time, the space group was assumed to be P63/m. Effenberger et al. (2023) showed it to be P3.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006591 | Zemannite | Miletich F (1995) Crystal chemistry of the microporous tellurite minerals zemannite and kinichilite, Mg0.5[MeFe(TeO3)3].4.5H2O, (Me=Zn;Mn) European Journal of Mineralogy 7 509-523 | 1995 | Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 | |
| 0006592 | Zemannite | Miletich F (1995) Crystal chemistry of the microporous tellurite minerals zemannite and kinichilite, Mg0.5[MeFe(TeO3)3].4.5H2O, (Me=Zn;Mn) European Journal of Mineralogy 7 509-523 | 1995 | Bambolla Mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.15 Å | (100) |
| 2.778 Å | (90) |
| 4.07 Å | (80) |
| 2.96 Å | (60) |
| 2.845 Å | (60) |
| 1.726 Å | (60) |
| 2.345 Å | (50) |
| 2.160 Å | (50) |
| 1.504 Å | (50) |
| 3.07 Å | (40) |
| 2.207 Å | (40) |
| 1.794 Å | (40) |
| 1.686 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Moctezuma Mine, Sonora, Mexico. Data from Mandarino et al. (1976).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Zemannite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Hexagonal prisms terminated by a bipyramid. Crystals are less than 1 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M25933.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 128390.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, M25933.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA, 128390.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Tellurium deposit.
Synonyms of Zemannite
Other Language Names for Zemannite
Relationship of Zemannite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Zemannite Group:
| Ilirneyite | Mg0.5ZnMn3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Keystoneite | Mg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O | Hex. 6 : P63 |
| Kinichilite | Mg0.5Mn2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 28 photos of Zemannite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 13 photos of Zemannite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 11 photos of Zemannite associated with Tellurite | TeO2 |
| 6 photos of Zemannite associated with Paratellurite | TeO2 |
| 5 photos of Zemannite associated with Cuzticite | Fe3+2(TeO6) · 3H2O |
| 3 photos of Zemannite associated with Eurekadumpite | (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18 · 7H2O |
| 3 photos of Zemannite associated with Poughite | Fe3+2(TeO3)2(SO4)(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Zemannite associated with Denningite | (Mn2+,Ca,Zn)Te4+2O5 |
| 3 photos of Zemannite associated with Zincospiroffite | Zn2Te4+3O8 |
| 2 photos of Zemannite associated with Burckhardtite | Pb2(Fe3+Te6+)[AlSi3O8]O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JM. | Wortupaite | MgNi2+2(Te4+O3)3 · 3H2O |
| 4.JM. | Rudolfhermannite | Fe2(Te4+O3)3 · H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Keystoneite | Mg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Kinichilite | Mg0.5Mn2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.05 | Ilirneyite | Mg0.5ZnMn3+(Te4+O3)3 · 4.5H2O |
| 4.JM.10 | Emmonsite | Fe3+2(TeO3)3 · 2H2O |
| 4.JM.10 | Blakeite | Fe3+2[TeO3]3 (?) |
| 4.JM.15 | Graemite | Cu[TeO3] · H2O |
| 4.JM.20 | Telluromandarinoite | Fe3+2Te3O9 · 6H2O |
| 4.JM.20 | Teineite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
| 4.JM.25 | Millsite | Cu2+(Te4+O3) · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Zemannite
Not fluorescent.
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 Zemannite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4392.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 Zemannite
Reference List:
Mandarino, J. A., Williams, S. J. (1961) Five new minerals from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. Science, 133 (3469) 2017 doi:10.1126/science.133.3469.2017
Mandarino, J. A., Matzat, E., Williams, S. J. (1976) Zemannite, a zinc tellurite from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. The Canadian Mineralogist, 14 (3) 387-390
Miletich, Ronald (1995) Crystal chemistry of the microporous tellurite minerals zemannite and kinichilite, Mg0.5[Me2+Fe3+(TeO3)3]-4.5H2O, (Me2+=Zn;Mn). European Journal of Mineralogy, 7 (3). 509-524 doi:10.1127/ejm/7/3/0509
Frost, Ray L., Dickfos, Marilla J., Keeffe, Eloise C. (2008) Raman spectroscopic study of the tellurite minerals: emmonsite Fe23+Te34+O9·2H2O and zemannite Mg0.5[Zn2+Fe3+(TeO3)3]4.5H2O. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 39 (12). 1784-1788 doi:10.1002/jrs.2034
Localities for Zemannite
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.
Belgium | |
| perso.infonie.be (2004) |
Japan | |
| Hori (1996) |
Mexico (TL) | |
| MinRec 8:390 +2 other references |
USA | |
| Joy Desor |
| Collected and analyzed by John Dagenais |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| SEM-EDS analyzed by Dr. Rob Bowell. |
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Moctezuma Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico