Zinczippeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zinczippeite
Franz Xaver Maximilian Zippe
Formula:
Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O
Colour:
Yellow, orange, red-brown
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
5.032 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named as the zinc analogue of zippeite. It was originally named zinc-zippeite, with a hyphen. The name was changed by the IMA in 2008 (Burke 2008).
The species zippeite itself was named by William Haidinger in 1845 in honour of František Xaver Maximilian Zippe (15 January 1791, Kytlice, Austrian Empire - 22 February 1863, Vienna, Austria), mineralogist.
The species zippeite itself was named by William Haidinger in 1845 in honour of František Xaver Maximilian Zippe (15 January 1791, Kytlice, Austrian Empire - 22 February 1863, Vienna, Austria), mineralogist.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4408
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4408:6
Classification of Zinczippeite
The zippeite-type sheet
The uranyl sulfate sheet topology found in the members of the zippeite group.
IMA Classification of Zinczippeite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Zn2+(U6+O2)2(S6+O4)O2·3.5H2O
First published:
1976
Type description reference:
7.EC.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
31.10.4.5
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : Miscellaneous
25.8.14
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, Cr and U
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zzip | 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 Zinczippeite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, orange, red-brown
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
5.032 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zinczippeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.70 - 1.75 nβ = 1.75 - 1.763
Surface Relief:
Unknown
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = pale yellow; Z = yellow.
Chemistry of Zinczippeite
Mindat Formula:
Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Zinczippeite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.6437(10) Å, b = 14.1664(17) Å, c = 17.701(2) Å
β = 104.041(3)°
β = 104.041(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.61 : 1 : 1.25
Unit Cell V:
2,102.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005852 | Zinczippeite | Burns P C, Deely K M, Hayden L A (2003) The crystal chemistry of the zippeite group The Canadian Mineralogist 41 687-706 |  | 2003 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005852 | Zinczippeite | Burns P C, Deely K M, Hayden L A (2003) The crystal chemistry of the zippeite group The Canadian Mineralogist 41 687-706 | | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.08 Å | (100) |
| 3.54 Å | (50) |
| 3.44 Å | (35) |
| 9.62 Å | (33) |
| 3.100 Å | (26) |
| 2.567 Å | (15) |
| 1.943 Å | (15) |
Comments:
Synthetic
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Zinczippeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Minute curved crystals and in coatings.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Quartzose ore containing uraninite and disseminated sulfides.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Zinczippeite
Relationship of Zinczippeite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Zippeite Group:
| Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmca |
| Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O | Mon. |
| Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O | Mon. 2 : B2 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Anglesite | PbSO4 |
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
| 2 photos of Zinczippeite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 1 photo of Zinczippeite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 1 photo of Zinczippeite associated with Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Rabejacite | Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.55 | Geschieberite | K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 59.7649% | 14,941,225 | 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 Zinczippeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4408.html
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References for Zinczippeite
Reference List:
Haacke, David F., Williams, Peter A. (1979) The aqueous chemistry of uranium minerals. Part I. Divalent cation zippeïte. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (328) 539-541 doi:10.1180/minmag.1979.043.328.15
Burns, P. C., Deely, K. M., Hayden, L. A. (2003) The crystal chemistry of the zippeite group. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3). 687-706 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.687
Localities for Zinczippeite
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.
Czech Republic | |
| Plásil et al. (2003) |
| Plasil (2005) |
| Luigi Chiappino specimens (https://e-rocks.com/item/chp974110/zinczippeite and https://e-rocks.com/item/chp994581/zinczippeite) |
| Petr Pauliš |
France | |
| Fred Bonnet Collection |
Italy | |
| Probed Milan University 2006 |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2026) |
Slovakia | |
| Števko M. et al. (2012) |
Slovenia | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Ansermet et al. (2024) |
USA (TL) | |
| Arizona lode gold mines and gold mining +1 other reference |
| Collected and analyzed by Joy Desor. ... |
| Collected by Alex Earl |
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Novazza mine, Valgoglio, Bergamo Province, Lombardy, Italy