Vitusite-(Ce)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Vitusite-(Ce)
Vitus Bering
Formula:
Na3(Ce,La,Nd)(PO4)2
Colour:
Pale pink, white, pale green, also yellow, gray to black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.60 - 3.70
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named vitusite after Vitus Bering (baptised 5 August 1681, died 19 December 1741), a Danish-Russian explorer of the northern seas. The suffix was added in 1987, following the Levinson rule, indicating the predominant essential REE.
May be altered to "erikite" = a pseudomorphous mixture of monazite and rhabdophane after vitusite-(Ce) (Pekov et al., 1997).
Related to dyrnaesite-(La).
Related to dyrnaesite-(La).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4193
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4193:1
Similar Names
| Yftisite-(Y) | A discredited species name | (Y,Dy,Er)4(Ti,Sn)(SiO4)2O(F,OH)6 |
IMA Classification of Vitusite-(Ce)
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Na3Ce3+(PO4)2
Approval year:
1976
First published:
1979
Classification of Vitusite-(Ce)
8.AC.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 7th ed.:
38.1.8.1
38.1.8.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.9.9
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vtu-Ce | 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 Vitusite-(Ce)
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale pink, white, pale green, also yellow, gray to black
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}, {010}, {100}, but degree of development unstated
{001}, {010}, {100}, but degree of development unstated
Density:
3.60 - 3.70 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vitusite-(Ce)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.602 - 1.604 nβ = 1.647 - 1.650 nγ = 1.649 - 1.654
2V:
Measured: 30° , Calculated: 22° to 32°
Birefringence:
0.045
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.047 - 0.050
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:
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:
r > v
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = abc
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Vitusite-(Ce)
Mindat Formula:
Na3(Ce,La,Nd)(PO4)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Vitusite-(Ce)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pca21
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.342 Å, b = 18.680 Å, c = 14.062 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.286 : 1 : 0.753
Unit Cell V:
1,403.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Twinning:
pseudohexagonal on {160} and {120}
Comment:
Pc21b, Neues Jahrbuch MA 1980 137:42; a supercell 58.75
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014868 | Vitusite-(Ce) | Mazzi F, Ungaretti L (1994) The crystal structure of vitusite from Ilimaussaq (South Greenland): Na3REE(PO4)2 Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1994 49-66 | 1994 | Ilimaussaq, South Greenland | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.58 Å | (90) |
| 4.67 Å | (90) |
| 4.63 Å | (90) |
| 3.51 Å | (90) |
| 2.81 Å | (100) |
| 2.80 Å | (100) |
| 2.69 Å | (90) |
| 2.67 Å | (90) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-1232
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 |
Geological Setting:
Nepheline syenite pegmatite.
Type Occurrence of Vitusite-(Ce)
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
prismatic, to 5 mm
granular, and in fine-grained aggregates.
granular, and in fine-grained aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geology Museum, Kola Branch, Academy of Sciences, Apatity, 5544; Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1209/1; University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; National School of Mines, Paris, France; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1994,36
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Nepheline syenite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Vitusite-(Ce)
Other Language Names for Vitusite-(Ce)
Dutch:Vitusiet-(Ce)
Faroese:Vitusite-(Ce)
German:Vitusit-(Ce)
Russian:Витусит-(Ce)
Simplified Chinese:磷铈钠石
Traditional Chinese:磷鈰鈉石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Mountainite | KNa2Ca2[Si8O19(OH)] · 6H2O |
| 4 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Magnesio-arfvedsonite | NaNa2(Mg4Fe3+)(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
| 4 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Steenstrupine-(Ce) | Na14Mn2+2Fe3+2Ce6Zr(Si6O18)2(PO4)6(PO3OH)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Belovite-(Ce) | NaCeSr3(PO4)3F |
| 2 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Manganoneptunite | KNa2Li(Mn2+)2Ti2[Si4O12]2 |
| 2 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Sazhinite-(Ce) | Na3CeSi6O15 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Raite | Mn2+Mn2+2Na2(◻1.75Ti0.25)Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · Na(H2O)6 |
| 1 photo of Vitusite-(Ce) associated with Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AC. | 'Crocobelonite-1M' | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Magnesioqingheiite | Na2Mg(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Manganobadalovite | NaNaMn(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Changesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC. | Babunaite-(Nd) | NdAsO4 |
| 8.AC. | Crocobelonite | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Wopmayite | Ca6Na3◻Mn(PO4)3(PO3OH)4 |
| 8.AC. | Beershevaite | CaFe3+3(PO4)3O |
| 8.AC. | Epiebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC. | Ebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC.X | Dyrnaesite-(La) | Na8Ce4+(La,REE)2(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Edtollite | K2NaCu5Fe3+O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Angarfite | NaFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.AC. | Kabalovite | Fe2+3Fe3+4(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Nazarchukite | Ca2NiFe3+2(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Calciohatertite | NaNaCa(CaFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Alumoedtollite | K2NaCu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.02 | Grigorievite | Cu3Fe3+2Al2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Koksharovite | CaMg2Fe3+4(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Ziminaite | Fe3+ 6 (VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.05 | Hatertite | Na2(Ca,Na)(Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Erikapohlite | Cu3(Zn,Cu,Mg)4Ca2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Mg Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | NaMg3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Zn-H Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | Na(Na0.6Zn0.4)Zn2(H0.6AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiohatertite | (Na,Ca)2Ca(Mg,Fe3+)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Na[]' | ◻4Na4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Ca[]' | ◻4Ca4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Ferroalluaudite-NaNa' | Na4Na4Fe2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Hagendorfite-NaNa' | NaNaFe2+(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)3 (?) |
| 8.AC.05 | O'Danielite | Na(Zn,Mg)3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Howardevansite | NaCuFe2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Khrenovite | Na3Fe3+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Zincobradaczekite | NaZn2Cu2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Paraberzeliite | NaCa2Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiocanutite | NaMnMg2[AsO4]2[AsO2(OH)2] |
| 8.AC.05 | Manganohatertite | NaNaCa(MnFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Camanchacaite | NaCaMg2[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.07 | Zhanghuifenite | Na3Mn4Mg2Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.07 | Ferrobobfergusonite | Na2Fe2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.10 | Hagendorfite | NaCaMn2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | 'Ferrohagendorfite' | NaCaFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Johillerite | Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Varulite | NaCaMn2+Mn2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Nickenichite | Na0.8Ca0.4Cu0.4(Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Arseniopleite | NaCaMnMn2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Groatite | NaCaMn2(PO4)[PO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.10 | Alluaudite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Bradaczekite | NaCu4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Caryinite | (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)CaMn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Ferroalluaudite | (Na,Ca)Fe2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Maghagendorfite | (Na,◻)MgMn2+(Fe2+,Fe3+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrowyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Qingheiite | NaNaMn2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Rosemaryite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferroqingheiite | NaNaFe2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrorosemaryite | ◻NaFe2+Fe3+Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Bobfergusonite | Na2Mn5FeAl(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.15 | Wyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.17 | Czochralskiite | Na4Ca3Mg(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC.18 | Manitobaite | Na16Mn2+ 25Al8(PO4)30 |
| 8.AC.20 | Marićite | NaFe2+(PO4) |
| 8.AC.25 | Schäferite | (NaCa2)Mg2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Berzeliite | (NaCa2)Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Matyhite | Ca18(Ca,◻)2Fe2+2(PO4)14 |
| 8.AC.25 | Hedegaardite | (Ca,Na)9(Ca,Na)Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.25 | Manganberzeliite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Palenzonaite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.30 | Brianite | Na2CaMg(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.40 | Bario-olgite | (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 · |
| 8.AC.40 | Olgite | (Sr,Ba)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Tuite | Ca3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Ferromerrillite | Ca9NaFe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Strontiowhitlockite | Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻ Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Changesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.47 | Iwateite | Na2BaMn(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.47 | Ozerovaite | Na2KAl3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.47 | Yurmarinite | Na7(Fe3+,Mg,Cu)4(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.47 | Pansnerite | K3Na3(Fe3+,Al)6(AsO4)8 |
| 8.AC.47 | Anatolyite | Na6(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe3+)3Al(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Fillowite | Na3CaMn2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Galileiite | Na3Fe2+Fe2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Johnsomervilleite | Na3CaFe11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Xenophyllite | Na4Fe2+7(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Udinaite | NaMg4(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Arsenudinaite | NaMg4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Chladniite | Na3CaMg11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.52 | Lasnierite | (Ca,Sr)(Mg,Fe2+)2Al(P[O,F]4)3 |
| 8.AC.55 | Pharmazincite | KZnAsO4 |
| 8.AC.57 | Zubkovaite | Ca3Cu3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.60 | Kosnarite | KZr2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.65 | Panethite | (Na,Ca)2(Mg,Fe2+)2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.70 | Stanfieldite | Ca4Mg5(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.75 | Ronneburgite | K2MnV4O12 |
| 8.AC.80 | Tillmannsite | Ag3Hg[(V,As)O4] |
| 8.AC.85 | Filatovite | K(Al,Zn)2(As,Si)2O8 |
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 Vitusite-(Ce)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4193.html
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References for Vitusite-(Ce)
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Chao, G. Y., Pabst, Adolf (1980) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 65 (7-8) 808-814 p.812
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Localities for Vitusite-(Ce)
Showing 13 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.
Canada | |
| Grice (1989) +1 other reference |
Greenland | |
| Petersen (2001) |
| Grey et al. (2010) |
| RØNSBO et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
| Pekov et al. (2001) | |
Russia | |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2008) |
| 33 IGC excursion No 47 +2 other references | |
| V. Grishin collection |
| Pakhomovsky et al. (2014) | |
| Pekov (2005) |
| Rønsbo et al. (1979) +1 other reference |
| Pakhomovsky et al. (2014) | |
| Pekov (1998) |
Quick NavTopAbout Vitusite-(Ce)Unique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Yubileinaya pegmatite, Karnasurt Mountain, Lovozersky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia