Zippeite is a rare mineral composed of hydrated potassium uranyl sulfate. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /zɪpˈeɪt/, which indicates that it is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a stressed "a". The spelling of the word derives from its discoverer, Austrian geologist Franz Xaver von Zippe. Zippeite is a yellowish-green mineral that typically forms as crusts or coatings in underground uranium deposits. It was first identified in 1858 and is named after its discoverer.
Zippeite is a mineral that is classified as a secondary uranium mineral. It belongs to the sulfate mineral group and has the chemical formula K(UO2)6(SO4)4(OH)10·4H2O. The name "zippeite" is derived from the German mineralogist Franz Xaver Zippe, who first discovered and described this mineral in 1830.
Zippeite typically forms as a result of the alteration of primary uranium-bearing minerals in oxidizing conditions, particularly in uranium deposits that have undergone weathering and mineralization processes. It often occurs as bright yellow to greenish-yellow crystalline masses or as prismatic crystals. The crystal structure of zippeite consists of uranium-oxygen octahedral layers linked by sulfate tetrahedral groups.
In terms of physical properties, zippeite has a distinctive yellow color, with streaks ranging from pale yellow to greenish-yellow. It has a relatively low hardness of around 2.5 on the Mohs scale, making it quite fragile and prone to crumbling. Zippeite is also quite soluble in water.
Due to its association with uranium, zippeite is of interest from both scientific and industrial perspectives. It is commonly found in uranium ore deposits and serves as an indicator mineral for the presence of uranium. Furthermore, zippeite's chemical composition makes it an important source of uranium during its primary extraction and processing for nuclear fuel.
The word "zippeite" originates from the German chemist, Franz von Zippe, who first discovered and described the mineral in 1845. Zippe, born Josef August Lambert von Zippermayr, was a prominent mineralogist and mining engineer known for his contributions to the field of crystallography and for his work on specific minerals. As a tribute to his contributions, the mineral was named "zippeite" in his honor.