Cliffordite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Cliffordite
Clifford Frondel
Formula:
(UO2)Te4+3O7
Colour:
Bright sulfur yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
6.57
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
Named by Richard V. Gaines in 1969 in honor of Clifford Frondel (8 January 1907, Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA - 12 November 2002, Winchester, Massachusetts, USA), American mineralogist, Professor of Mineralogy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The mineral frondelite is also named in his honor.
This page provides mineralogical data about Cliffordite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1064
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1064:7
IMA Classification of Cliffordite
Approved
IMA Formula:
U6+Te4+3O9
Approval year:
1966
First published:
1969
Classification of Cliffordite
4.JK.75
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
34.3.1.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
3 : A2(XO3)3·xH2O
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
3 : A2(XO3)3·xH2O
28.3.18
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cff | 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 Cliffordite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bright sulfur yellow
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Density:
6.57 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
On synthetic material.
Optical Data of Cliffordite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 2.25(2)
Surface Relief:
Very High
Comments:
On synthetic material
Chemistry of Cliffordite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)Te4+3O7
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Cliffordite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.42(5) Å
Unit Cell V:
1,489.36 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Octahedral crystals, crusts.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009388 | Cliffordite | Galy J, Meunier G (1971) A propos de la cliffordite UTe3O8. Le Systeme UO3-TeO2 a 700 C. Structure cristalline de UTe3O9 Acta Crystallographica B27 608-616 |  | 1971 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.273 Å | (100) |
| 2.844 Å | (80) |
| 2.007 Å | (80) |
| 2.755 Å | (70) |
| 1.712 Å | (70) |
| 4.63 Å | (60) |
| 4.02 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zones of hydrothermal Au-Ag telluride deposits.
Type Occurrence of Cliffordite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts of bright yellow microscopic crystals, on joint surfaces in druses and scattered between mackayite crysals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 175.83, 180.61.
2) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 119079.
3) National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 120246, 164341, 164342.
2) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 119079.
3) National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 120246, 164341, 164342.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Cliffordite
Other Language Names for Cliffordite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
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 | Paulhlavaite | CaCuTe4+ 4O10 |
| 4.JK.30 | Denningite | CaMn2+Te4+4O10 |
| 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.70 | Schmitterite | (UO2)(TeO3) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 31.1221% | 7,780,525 | 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:
Soluble in concentrated HCl but insoluble in dilute acid.
Dissolves slowly in solutions of the alkali hydroxides.
Dissolves slowly in solutions of the alkali hydroxides.
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 Cliffordite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1064.html
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References for Cliffordite
Reference List:
Gaines, Richard V. (1969) Cliffordite-a new tellurite mineral from Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. American Mineralogist, 54 (5-6) 697-701
Galy, J., Meunier, G. (1971) A propos de la cliffordite UTe3O8. Le système UO3–TeO2 à 700°C. Structure cristalline de UTe3O9. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 27 (3) 608-616 doi:10.1107/s0567740871002632
Brandstätter, F. (1981) Non-stoichiometric, hydrothermally synthesized cliffordite. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 29 (1). 1-8 doi:10.1007/bf01082811
Localities for Cliffordite
Showing 4 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.
Mexico | |
| Braith et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| Gaines (1969) |
| Braith et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
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San Miguel Mine, Moctezuma, Moctezuma Municipality, Sonora, Mexico