Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Meta-autunite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Les Oudots Quarry, Grury, Issy-l'Evêque, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France
© Peter Haas

Show Meta-autunite Photos (107)



Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6-8H
 
2
O
System:TetragonalColour:greenish yellow, lemon ...
Hardness:2 - 2½
Member of:Meta-autunite Group
Name:Named in 1904 by Paul Gaubert for Meta- and its relationship to autunite.


Meta-autunite Group.

Classification of Meta-autunite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.02-90
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EB.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:40.2a.1.2

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.11.14

19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2662.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Meta-autunite

Type Locality:Daybreak Mine (Dahl lease), Mount Kit Carson, Spokane Co., Washington, USA
Year of Discovery:1904

Occurrences of Meta-autunite

Geological Setting:Granite pegmatite, also sedimentary bedded uranium-vanadium deposits

Physical Properties of Meta-autunite

Lustre:Waxy, Pearly, Dull, Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:greenish yellow, lemon yellow
Streak:pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
{001}
Density (measured):3.35 - 3.55 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.31 g/cm3

Crystallography of Meta-autunite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 6.97Å, c = 8.47Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.215
Unit Cell Volume:V 411.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Comment:also orthorhombic Pmmm
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
8.46 (100)
5.39 (20)
4.233 (20)
3.620 (60)
2.615 (30)
2.115 (35)
1.601 (25)
Comments:ICDD 39-1351

Optical Data of Meta-autunite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.596 - 1.604 nβ = 1.602 - 1.622 nγ = 1.603 - 1.630 nω = 1.607 nε = 1.584
2V:Measured: 5° to 20°
Birefringence:0.015
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.023

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = colorless to pale yellow
Z = dark yellow

Chemical Properties of Meta-autunite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6-8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, P, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, P, U
Common Impurities:Ba,Mg

Relationship of Meta-autunite to other Species

Member of:Meta-autunite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Abernathyite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Bassetite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Chernikovite
(H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Lehnerite
Mn
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Meta-ankoleite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Metaheinrichite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Metakahlerite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Metakirchheimerite
Co(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Metalodèvite
Zn(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
Metanováčekite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
Metatorbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Metauranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
Metauranospinite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Metazeunerite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
Natrouranospinite
(Na
 
2
,Ca)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
Uramarsite
(NH
 
4
,H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Uramphite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Common Associates:
ZirconUranophaneUraniniteSchoepite GroupPhosphuranylite
MetatyuyamuniteMetatorberniteColumbite GroupCoffiniteCarnotite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.EB.05Autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 11H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Heinrichite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Kahlerite
Fe(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Nováčekite-I
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Saléeite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Torbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Uranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Uranospinite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Xiangjiangite
(Fe
3+
 
,Al)(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(SO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 22H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Zeunerite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Metarauchite
Ni(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.05Rauchite
Ni(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Bassetite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Lehnerite
Mn
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metasaléeite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metauranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metauranospinite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metaheinrichite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metakahlerite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metakirchheimerite
Co(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metanováčekite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metatorbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metazeunerite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Przhevalskite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Meta-lodèvite
8.EB.15Abernathyite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EB.15Chernikovite
(H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EB.15Meta-ankoleite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EB.15Natrouranospinite
(Na
 
2
,Ca)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.EB.15Trögerite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O (?)
8.EB.15Uramphite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EB.15Uramarsite
(NH
 
4
,H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
8.EB.20Threadgoldite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 8H
 
2
O
8.EB.20Chistyakovaite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(F,OH) · 6.5H
 
2
O
8.EB.25Arsenuranospathite
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 40H
 
2
O
8.EB.25Uranospathite
(Al,☐)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 20(H
 
2
O,F)
8.EB.30Vochtenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Fe
3+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH) · 12-13H
 
2
O
8.EB.35Coconinoite
Fe
3+
2
Al
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · 20H
 
2
O
8.EB.40Ranunculite
HAl(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.EB.45Triangulite
Al
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.EB.50Furongite
Al
 
13
(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
13
(OH)
 
14
 · 58H
 
2
O
8.EB.55Sabugalite
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 16H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.11.1Lermontovite
U(PO
 
4
)(OH) · H
 
2
O
19.11.2Metavanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.11.3Vanmeersscheite
U
6+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.4Chernikovite
(H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.5Vyacheslavite
U(PO
 
4
)(OH) · nH
 
2
O
19.11.6Metanatroautunite
Na(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)(H
 
2
O)
 
3
19.11.7Yingjiangite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.8Meta-ankoleite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.9Uramphite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.10Torbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.11.11Metatorbernite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.12Saléeite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
19.11.13Ningyoite
CaU(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
19.11.15Autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 11H
 
2
O
19.11.16Pseudo-autunite
(H
 
3
O)
 
4
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.11.17Phurcalite
Ca
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.18Phosphuranylite
(H
 
3
O)
 
3
KCa(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
4
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.19Ulrichite
CaCu(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.20Bergenite
Ca
 
2
Ba
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
9
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
O
 
6
 · 16H
 
2
O
19.11.21Metauranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.22Uranocircite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
19.11.23Ranunculite
HAl(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
3
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.24Triangulite
Al
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.11.25Mundite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
3
 · 5.5H
 
2
O
19.11.26Upalite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.27Furongite
Al
 
13
(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
13
(OH)
 
14
 · 58H
 
2
O
19.11.28Threadgoldite
Al(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.29Phuralumite
Al
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 13H
 
2
O
19.11.30Moreauite
Al
 
3
(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 13H
 
2
O
19.11.31Sabugalite
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 16H
 
2
O
19.11.32Uranospathite
(Al,☐)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
F · 20(H
 
2
O,F)
19.11.33Althupite
AlTh(UO
 
2
)
 
7
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
5
O
 
2
 · 15H
 
2
O
19.11.34Françoisite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH) · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.35Kivuite
(Th,Ca,Pb)(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
8
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.36Parsonsite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.11.37Dewindtite
H
 
2
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
4
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.11.38Dumontite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.39Przhevalskite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.40Lehnerite
Mn
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.41Bassetite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.42Vochtenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Fe
3+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH) · 12-13H
 
2
O

Other Names for Meta-autunite

Other Languages:
German:Meta-Autunit
Russian:Метаотенит

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Fluoresces bright greenish yellow in SW and LW UV
Health Warning:Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.

References for Meta-autunite

Reference List:

- +
Gaubert, Paul, 1904, Produits deshydration de quelque phosphates et orientation du chlorure de baryum sur les mineraux des groups de l'autunite, Bulletin Soc. franc. Min., v. 27: 212-216.

Makarov, E.S. and Ivanov, V.I. (1960) The crystal structure of meta-autunite, Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2·6H2O. Doklady of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR: 132: 601-603.

American Mineralogist (1963): 48: 1389-1393.

American Mineralogist (1981): 66: 1068-1072.

Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 81: 4-10.

Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR: 132: 601-603.

Sowder, A. G.; Clark, S. B.; Fjeld, R. A. (2000): Dehydration of synthetic autunite hydrates. Radiochimica Acta 88, 533-538.

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

Suzuki, Y., Sato, T., Isobe, H., Kogure, T., Murakami, T. (2005): Dehydration processes in the meta-autunite group minerals meta-autunite, metasaléeite, and metatorbernite. American Mineralogist 90, 1308-1314.

Lazic, B., Kahlenberg, V., Vulic, P., Pesic, L. & Dimitrijevic, R. (2009): Meta-autunite from a Li-pegmatite of the Cer Mt., Serbia: Its mineralogical and XRD investigations. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen 186, 333-344.

Internet Links for Meta-autunite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Meta-autunite on Google
  • Look for Meta-autunite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Meta-autunite on Webmineral
  • Look for Meta-autunite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Meta-autunite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Meta-autunite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for - Meta-autunite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Meta-autunite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • webminerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • Search for Meta-autunite on Well-Arranged Molecules
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Meta-autunite

    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.
    Show Locality List (370 Items)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 13th May 2013 23:40:26
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    Locality Updated: Huelsdonk placer, Hayward, West Belt, Mariposa Co., California, USAFrom Chester S. Lemanski, Jr., 24th May 2013 21:14:47