THE MINERAL ZIPPEITE
  • Chemistry: K4(UO2)6(SO4)3OH10-4H2O , Hydrated Potassium Uranyl Sulfate Hydroxide
  • Class: Sulfates
  • Uses: a minor ore of uranium and mineral specimens
  • Specimens
Zippeite is a rare mineral but is sought after by collectors who seek uranium bearing minerals as well as minerals that have exotic names. Zippeite fluoresces under ultraviolet light. The mineral is inconsistent however in the color that is produced. Zippeite is formed as a secondary mineral and as an efflorescent crust in uranium mines. Efflorescent means it forms on the surface of a rock by the evaporation of water when in contact with the dry air of the mine. Thus, some zippeite specimens are the result of human intervention (albeit unintentional) and some minerologists do not consider these to be pure mineral specimens. Remember, this is a radioactive mineral and should be stored away from other minerals that are affected by radioactivity and human exposure should be limited.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Colors are various shades of golden-yellow to orange-yellow and sometimes brown.
  • Luster is dull
  • Transparency crystals can be transparent to translucent.
  • Crystal System is orthorhombic.
  • Crystal Habits are usually limited to encrustations and compact masses.
  • Cleavage not seen.
  • Hardness is approximately 2.
  • Specific Gravity is approximately 3.7+ (above average for non-metallic minerals)
  • Streak is a pale yellow.
  • Associated Minerals are autunite, torbernite, uraninite and other uranium minerals.
  • Other Characteristics: radioactive and fluoresces different colors from different specimens.
  • Notable Occurances include Cornwall, England; Utah and Colorado, USA and the Bohemian region of Europe.
  • Best Field Indicators are color, crystal habit, fluorescence, softness, luster and radioactivity.
ZIPPEITE specimens:
(hover for more info)
ZIPPEITE specimen zip-1
$ 60.00
Dims: 2-1/2" x 1-7/8" x 1/4"
Wt: 12.7 g
Ambrosia Lake Dist., Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A.
This specimen is officially labeled "Zipeite, Coffinite". I don't know which is which, to tell the truth. The former is a potassium uranyl sulfate, while the latter is a uranium silicate hydroxide. They're both likely yellow, and interspersed upon one side of the flat host rock in crystals that are so small that they just look like a yellow dust that has been spread over it like mustard powder. It's neat stuff to put under a longwave UV light, though, and I imagine quite rare!
no photo
zip-1 ($ 60.00)
Ambrosia Lake Dist., Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A.
ZIPPEITE specimen zip-2
$ 35.00
Dims: 1.9 x 0.9 x 0.8" (4.8 x 2.3 x 2.0 cm)
Wt: 20.3 g
Ambrosia Lake Dist., Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A.
This specimen consists of a chunk of shapeless brown host rock on which is scattered a thin dusting of Zippeite. The Zippite might occur in the form of tiny botryoidal clusters, but my loupe is not powerful enough for me to be sure. It basically looks like a bright yellow powder that has been scattered on the rock, though there are several tiny bits scattered on the other faces. I cannot define the host rock, but a small vein of what appears to be agate runs through it.
no photo
zip-2 ($ 35.00)
Ambrosia Lake Dist., Grants, New Mexico, U.S.A.
ZIPPEITE specimen zip-3
$ 80.00
Dims:5.2x2.4x1.7" (13.2x6.1x4.3 cm)
Wt: 9.2oz. (261g)
Jackpile Mine, Laguna Mining District, Cibole cty., New Mexico
This specimen shows a bright yellow vein of zippeite in microcrystalline nodules in an arenaceous host rock. The zippeite is accompanied by a wider vein of semicrystalline uraninite. Although zippeite cannot be depended upon for fluorescence, this specimen fluoresces very strongly, a bright greenish-yellow color. This specimen shows no damage-it is an excellent cabinet-size specimen of this mineral.
no photo
zip-3 ($ 80.00)
Jackpile Mine, Laguna Mining District, Cibole cty., New Mexico
ZIPPEITE specimen zip-4
$ 25.00
Dims:2.5x1.4x0.8" (6.4x3.6x2.0 cm)
Wt: 1.5oz. (43g)
Jackpile Mine, Laguna Mining District, Valencia cty., New Mexico
This specimen consists of a thin vein of bright yellow zippeite running through the matrix rock. On either side of the zippeite vein are wider bands of uraninite. The zippeite is crystalline, although the crystals are tiny. This specimen fluoresces brilliantly under short wave ultraviolet light.
no photo
zip-4 ($ 25.00)
Jackpile Mine, Laguna Mining District, Valencia cty., New Mexico
 

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