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Andersonite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 6H
 
2
O
System:TrigonalColour:Yellow-green, bright ...
Lustre:VitreousHardness:
Name:For Charles A. Anderson (1902-1990), American geologist, US Geological Survey.
This page provides mineralogical data about Andersonite.

Classification of Andersonite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.02-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.ED.30

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
Dana 8th edition ID:15.2.5.1

15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
2 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p > 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.11.12

11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
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Type Occurrence of Andersonite

Type Locality:Hillside Mine (Happy Jack MS 920 claim; Camp MS 919 claim; Seven Stars MS 916 claim), Bozarth Mesa, Bagdad, Eureka District, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
Year of Discovery:1948
Geological Setting of type material:Post-mining efflorescences on mine walls.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
SwartziteSchröckingeriteGypsumBayleyite

Physical Properties of Andersonite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Yellow-green, bright green
Hardness (Mohs):
Density (measured):2.8 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.86 g/cm3

Crystallography of Andersonite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:R3
Cell Parameters:a = 18Å, c = 23.83Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.324
Unit Cell Volume:V 6,686.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Occurs as clusters of minute pseudo-cubic crystals.

Optical Data of Andersonite

Type:Uniaxial (+)
RI values: nω = 1.520 nε = 1.540
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.020

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:O = colourless
E = Light yellow

Chemical Properties of Andersonite

Formula:
Na
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ca, H, Na, O, U
All elements listed in formula:C, Ca, H, Na, O, U

Relationship of Andersonite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.ED.05Bayleyite
Mg
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 18H
 
2
O
5.ED.10Swartzite
MgCa(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 12H
 
2
O
5.ED.15Albrechtschraufite
Ca
 
4
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[F
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
6
] · 17 H
 
2
O
5.ED.20Liebigite
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 11H
 
2
O
5.ED.25Rabbittite
Ca
 
3
Mg
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
6
] · 18H
 
2
O
5.ED.35Grimselite
K
 
3
Na(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· H
 
2
O
5.ED.40Widenmannite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
5.ED.45Znucalite
Zn
 
12
Ca(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
22
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
5.ED.50Čejkaite
Na
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
11.11.1Stichtite
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
[(OH)
 
16
|CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
11.11.2Rutherfordine
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
11.11.3Joliotite
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
] · nH
 
2
O
11.11.4Grimselite
K
 
3
Na(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· H
 
2
O
11.11.5Bayleyite
Mg
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 18H
 
2
O
11.11.6Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
· 3H
 
2
O
11.11.7Zellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
2
· 5H
 
2
O
11.11.8Wyartite
Ca
 
3
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
9
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
· 3-5H
 
2
O
11.11.9Urancalcarite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
6
|CO
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.10Sharpite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
] · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.11Voglite
Ca
 
2
Cu(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
4
· 6H
 
2
O (?)
11.11.13Swartzite
MgCa(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
· 12H
 
2
O
11.11.14Rabbittite
Ca
 
3
Mg
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
6
] · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.15Kamotoite-(Y)
Y
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[O
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 14H
 
2
O
11.11.16Shabaite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Sm,Y)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
4
] · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.17Astrocyanite-(Ce)
Cu
 
2
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
2
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
] · 1.5H
 
2
O
11.11.18Bijvoetite-(Y)
(Y,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[(OH)
 
6
|(CO
 
3
)
 
2
] · 11H
 
2
O
11.11.19Widenmannite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[CO
 
3
]
 
3
11.11.20Znucalite
Zn
 
12
Ca(UO
 
2
)[(OH)
 
22
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Andersonite

German names:
Andersonit
Russian names:
Андерсонит
Spanish names:
Andersonita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Bright pastel green (a unique color)(SW UV).
Other Information:Soluble in water.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Andersonite

Reference List:Axelrod, Grimaldi, Milton, and Murata (1951) American Mineralogist: 36: 1-22.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 239.

Acta Crystallographica: B37: 1496-1500.

Mereiter, K. (1986c) Neue kristallographische Daten ueber das Uranmineral Andersonit. Anzeiger Österreichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse: 123(3): 39-41.

Kubatko, Karrie-Ann, Katheryn Helean, Alexandra Navrotsky, and Peter C. Burns (2005), Thermodynamics of uranyl minerals: Enthalpies of formation of rutherfordine, UO2CO3, andersonite, Na2CaUO2(CO3)3(H2O)5, and grimselite, K3NaUO2(CO3)3H2O: American Mineralogist: 90: 1284-1290.

Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.

Internet Links for Andersonite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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  • Andersonite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Andersonite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Argentina
     
    • Mendoza
      • Malargüe Department
        • Pampa Amarilla District
    Toubes, R.O., Chaar, E. Spikerman, J.P. Minerales radiactivos de la Republica Argentina. 5 Congreso Geologico Argentino, 1: 249-260. 1973; American Mineralogist: 51: 1-13
    Austria
     
    • Lower Austria
      • Gloggnitz
        • Semmering Massif
    Huber, S. und Huber, P. (1977): Mineral-Fundstellen Band 8: Oberösterreich, Niederösterreich und Burgenland. C. Weise Verlag, München, 270 pp.
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    Lapis 2002(7/8), 63-65
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Rožná deposit
    Petr Pauliš, Stanislav Kopecký, Pavel Černý: Uranové minerály České republiky a jejich lokality 2007
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    Germany
     
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
    Szakáll & Jánosi: minerals of hungary, 1995
    Szakáll & Jánosi: Minerals of Hungary, 1995
    Italy
     
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Daone
          • Limes
    Campostrini, I., Demartin, F., Gramaccioli, C.M. (2005): Val Daone. Minerali secondari del giacimento uranifero presso Limes, Daone (TN). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2005, 228-240.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Gifu Prefecture
          • Toki city
            • Tsukiyoshi ore deposits
    The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Sweden
     
    • Västmanland
      • Lindesberg
    No reference listed
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • St Just District
          • Botallack - Pendeen Area
            • Pendeen
    No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
        • Cameron District
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 110; Bollin, E.M. & P.F. Kerr (1958), Uranium mineralization near Cameron, AZ, in New Mexico Geol. Soc. Guidebook 9th Field Conf., Black Mesa Basin, northeastern AZ: 164-168.
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Eureka District
          • Bagdad
            • Bozarth Mesa
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 236, 239; Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 365, 387; Frondel, C.C. (1958), Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium, USGS Bull. 1064: 119; Dana 7:II:236 & 238; Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 51.
    • Colorado
      • San Miguel Co.
        • Slick Rock District
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • New Mexico
      • McKinley Co.
    Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region
    NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region; Am Min 51:929-930
    NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region
    NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region
    • Pennsylvania
      • Carbon Co.
    No reference listed
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
          • Delta
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • Grand Co.
        • Moab
    No reference listed
          • Cane Wash
        • Thompsons District (S. E. Thomsons)
          • Parco Mine Group
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • San Juan Co.
        • Blanding
    Rocks & Minerals: 68(6): 398-400.
        • Cane Creek
    [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
        • Cane Springs
    Can Min 14:429-436
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Mineral and/or Locality
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