Rutherfordine
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Rutherfordine
Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson
Formula:
(UO2)CO3
Colour:
Pale brownish-yellow, yellow to orange, yellowish green
Lustre:
Silky, Dull
Specific Gravity:
5.7
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by W. Marckwald in 1906 in honor of Ernest Rutherford (30 August 1871, Brightwater, New Zealand – 19 October 1937, Cambridge, England, United Kingdom), atomic physicist. He made tremendous discoveries in nuclear physics, including discovering the concept of radioactive half-life, proving that radioactivity involves the transmutation of one element into another, differentiating and naming alpha and beta radiation, discovering and naming the proton, and developing the Rutherford model of the atom (i.e., an atom with a small nucleus). He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908, and the element rutherfordium is named in his honor.
This page provides mineralogical data about Rutherfordine.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3484
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3484:1
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Rutherfordine
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(U6+O2)CO3
Classification of Rutherfordine
5.EB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
B : UO2:CO3 = 1:1
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
B : UO2:CO3 = 1:1
14.1.4.1
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.11.2
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and 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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Rfd | 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 Rutherfordine
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Rutherfordine
Silky, Dull
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Silky if fibrous
Colour:
Pale brownish-yellow, yellow to orange, yellowish green
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}
less perfect on {001}
Perfect on {010}
less perfect on {001}
Density:
5.7 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.682 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rutherfordine
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.7 - 1.723 nβ = 1.716 - 1.73 nγ = 1.755 - 1.795
2V:
Calculated: 53°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.055 - 0.072
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= colorless
Y= pale yellow
Z= pale greenish yellow
Y= pale yellow
Z= pale greenish yellow
Chemistry of Rutherfordine
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)CO3
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Rutherfordine
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Imm2
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.840 Å, b = 9.273 Å, c = 4.298 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.522 : 1 : 0.463
Unit Cell V:
192.90 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Acicular needles.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005627 | Rutherfordine | Finch R J, Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Ewing R C (1999) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine The Canadian Mineralogist 37 929-938 |  | 1999 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral formed by weathering of uraninite.
Type Occurrence of Rutherfordine
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pulverulent masses composed of minute matted fibers, pseudomorphic after uraninite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Smithsonian
Synonyms of Rutherfordine
Other Language Names for Rutherfordine
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 88 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 64 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 47 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 44 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 37 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 35 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| 34 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 19 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 18 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 18 photos of Rutherfordine associated with Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.EB.10 | Blatonite | (UO2)CO3 · H2O |
| 5.EB.15 | Joliotite | (UO2)CO3 · nH2O |
| 5.EB.20 | Bijvoetite-(Y) | Y8(UO2)16(CO3)16O8(OH)8 · 39H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 72.1220% | 18,030,500 | 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
Thermal Behaviour:
Decomposes to yellow UO3 when heated gently, and to greenish black U3O8 when heated strongly.
Notes:
Effervesces vigorously in dilute acids, although the reaction may be slow to start. Negligible solubility in water and NaOH under ordinary conditions.
Health Risks:
Radioactive
Internet Links for Rutherfordine
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3484.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Rutherfordine
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.129
Christ, C. L., Clark, J. R., Evans, H. T. (1955) Crystal Structure of Rutherfordine, UO2CO3. Science, 121 (3144) 472-473 doi:10.1126/science.121.3144.472
Frondel, Clifford, Meyrowitz, Robert (1956) Studies of uranium minerals (XIX): Rutherfordine, diderichite, and clarkeite. American Mineralogist, 41 (1-2) 127-133
Frondel, Clifford (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.208-211
(1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 260-263 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.09
(1980) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (332) 1053-1055 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.332.17
Finch, R. J., Cooper, M., Hawthorne, F. C., Ewing, R. C. (1999) Refinement of the crystal structure of rutherfordine. The Canadian Mineralogist, 37 (4) 929-938
Kubatko, K.-A. (2005) Thermodynamics of uranyl minerals: Enthalpies of formation of rutherfordine, UO2CO3, andersonite, Na2CaUO2(CO3)3(H2O)5, and grimselite, K3NaUO2(CO3)3H2O. American Mineralogist, 90 (8) 1284-1290 doi:10.2138/am.2005.1821
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 Rutherfordine
Showing 77 localities.
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 | |
| Econ Geol (1987) +1 other reference |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
| Fairclough et al. (compilers) |
| Brugger et al. (2003) +2 other references |
| Habibi et al. (2026) |
| Habibi et al. (2025) |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) |
Canada | |
| Boulanger (2012) |
| Watkinson et al. (1975) | |
| Jeremy Zolan |
China | |
| Aizhen Wang and Jingyi Zhang (1988) |
Czech Republic | |
| lení Národního muzea v Praze +2 other references |
| Skála et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| 70 (in German) +2 other references | |
DR Congo | |
| Daltry (1992) +1 other reference |
| SEM-EDS | |
| Deliens (1996) +1 other reference |
| Lavinsky (n.d.) |
| |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| Bariand et al. (1993) +2 other references |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
Gabon | |
| Janusz Janeczek (1999) |
Germany | |
| Schmeltzer (1993) +1 other reference |
| Bayerl et al. (04/21) |
| |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Bald +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2010) | |
| Aufschluss 69/ (7+8) +1 other reference |
| Desor (05/2020) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
Iran | |
| Khoshnoodi et al. (2025) |
Italy | |
| Vignola P. et al. (2011) |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2026) |
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2017) |
New Zealand | |
| Christie et al. (2000) |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Neumann (1985) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) |
Sweden | |
| Löfvendahl (1981) |
| Löfvendahl (1981) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tanzania (TL) | |
| Centr. Min. (1906) +2 other references |
UK | |
| Elton et al. (1995) |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
Ukraine | |
| Burakov et al. () +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| - (2005) |
| Castor et al. (2004) +1 other reference |
| Vandall King |
| Korzeb et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Rocks & Min.:60:86. |
| Barton et al. (2018) | |
| Page et al. (1956) +3 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Mandarino (1999) |
| Charles Creekmur collection |
| Page et al. (1956) +3 other references |
| Hausel et al. (2001) |
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La Dorgissière Mine, Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre, Bressuire, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France