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Abernathyite

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Big Photo

Riviéral, Lodève, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
© C.Boutry

Show Abernathyite Photos (8)



Formula:
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
System:TetragonalColour:yellow
Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, GreasyHardness:2½ - 3
Member of:Meta-autunite Group
Name:Named by M. E. Thompson, B. Ingram, and E. B. Gross in 1956 after Jesse Evrett Abernathy [September 7, 1913 - November 5, 1963 Moab, UT, USA], amateur mineralogist and lapidary and operator of the Fumerole mine.


Meta-autunite Group.

A rare secondary uranium mineral.

Classification of Abernathyite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered" 1956
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.02-150
Strunz 9th edition ID:8.EB.15
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EB.15

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:40.2a.9.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.7.3

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
7 : Arsenates of U
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Type Occurrence of Abernathyite

Type Locality:Fuemrol No. 2 mine (Fuemrole mine), Temple Mountain, San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell), Emery Co., Utah, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Fine grained pale yellow flaky mineral
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
Year of Discovery:1956
Geological Setting of type material:Colorado Plateau uranium-vanadium deposit

Occurrences of Abernathyite

Geological Setting:In the USA: from Cave Hills and Slim Buttes, Harding Co., South Dakota; at the West mine, Saguache Co. and the Clyde Long property, San Juan Co., Colorado; from near Tuba City, Coconino Co., Arizona.

In the Riviéral mine, Lodève, Hérault, France. At Sailauf, northeast of Aschaffenburg,
Bavaria, Germany.

Physical Properties of Abernathyite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Comment:weakly vitreous also les reflective
Colour:yellow
Streak:pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}
Density (measured):3.32 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.572 g/cm3

Crystallography of Abernathyite

Crystal System:Tetragonal
Class (H-M):4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:P4/ncc {P4/n 21/c 2/c}
Space Group Setting:P4/ncc
Cell Parameters:a = 7.176Å, c = 18.126Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 2.526
Unit Cell Volume:V 933.40 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
9.14 (100 broad)
5.63 (70)
3.84 (80 broad)
3.59 (70)
3.34 (80)
2.79 (60 broad)
2.28 (60)

Optical Data of Abernathyite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.597 - 1.608 nε = 1.570
2V:Measured: 5°
Birefringence:0.03
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.027 - 0.038

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Optical Extinction:Parallel
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:) = yellow, E = pale yellow

Chemical Properties of Abernathyite

Formula:
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
Essential elements:As, H, K, O, U
All elements listed in formula:As, H, K, O, U

Relationship of Abernathyite to other Species

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

- +
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
Meta-autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6-8H
 
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:
ZeuneriteScoroditeHeinrichite
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.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.10Meta-autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 6-8H
 
2
O
8.EB.10Metasaléeite
Mg(UO
 
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.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:

- +
20.7.1Trögerite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O (?)
20.7.2Natrouranospinite
(Na
 
2
,Ca)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.7.4Metazeunerite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.7.5Zeunerite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
20.7.6Metanováčekite
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
20.7.7Nováčekite-I
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
20.7.8Arsenuranylite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
20.7.9Metauranospinite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.7.10Uranospinite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
20.7.11Metaheinrichite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.7.12Heinrichite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
20.7.13Metalodèvite
Zn(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
20.7.14Arsenuranospathite
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
 · 40H
 
2
O
20.7.15Hallimondite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O, 0 ≤ n ≤ 0.5
20.7.16Hügelite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
20.7.17Asselbornite
Pb(BiO)
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
7
·4H
 
2
O
20.7.18Metakahlerite
Fe
2+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
20.7.19Kahlerite
Fe(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
20.7.20Metakirchheimerite
Co(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Abernathyite

Other Languages:
Czech:Abernathyit
Dutch:Abernathyiet
German:Abernatyt
Italian:Abernathyite
Latvian:Abernatijīts
Portuguese:Abernathyite
Russian:Абернатиит
Spanish:Abernathyita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Yellow-green under LW and SW.
Other Information:radioactive
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 Abernathyite

Reference List:

- +
Thompson, M.E., B. Ingram & E.B. Gross (1956): Abernathyite, a new uranium mineral of the metatorbernite group, American Mineralogist: 41: 82-90.

Ross, M. and Evans, H.T., Jr. (1964) Studies of the torbernite minerals. I. The crystal structure of abernathyite and the structurally related compounds NH4(UO2AsO4)·3H2O and K(H3O)(UO2AsO4)2·6H2O. American Mineralogist: 49: 1578-1602.

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 Abernathyite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    • Localities for Abernathyite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Böckelsbach valley
    		American Mineralogist, Volume 84, pages 1195–1198, 1999
        • Sulzburg
    		Lapis 21(12), 44 (1996)
    • Bavaria
      • Franconia
        • Spessart
          • Aschaffenburg
            • Dörrmorsbach
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
          • Hösbach
            • Sailauf
              • Hartkoppe
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Marienberg District
          • Lauta
    		Hajek, W. (2010): Kristallwelten Marienberg. Weise Verlag, München.
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Izerskie Mts
        • Jelenia Góra District
    		Mochnacka K. 1975: Mineralizacja skał metamorficznych części Pogórza Izerskiego. Pr. Geol. kom. Nauk Geol. PAN Oddz. w Krakowie nr 89.
    South Africa
     
    • Western Cape Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
    • Colorado
      • Saguache Co.
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
      • San Juan Co.
        • Elk Park
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 41, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    • Idaho
      • Custer Co.
        • Stanley Basin District
    		USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5264
    • Oregon
      • Lake Co.
        • Lakeview
    		Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology NBMG Open-File Report 96-3 By Stephen B. Castor, Christopher D. Henry, Lisa A. Shevenell
    • South Dakota
      • Harding Co.
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
        • North Cave Hills
          • Flat Top Group
    		SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
    SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
    		DANA R. KELLEY AND PAUL F. KERR (1958) URANO-ORGANIC ORE AT TEMPLE MOUNTAIN, UTAH. BULLETIN OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA VOL. 69. PP. 701-756.
    [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"]
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