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Abernathyite

Big Photo

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

Show Abernathyite Photos (6)
Formula:
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
System:TetragonalColour:yellow
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2½ - 3
Name:Named after Jess Abernathy, operator of the Fumerole mine.


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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3.html
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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
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA

Physical Properties of Abernathyite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:yellow
Streak:pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Cleavage:Perfect
Perfect on {001}
Density (measured):3.3 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)
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°
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

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

Related to:
  • Meta-autunite Group
    • 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
    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
    		[OH|(SO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 22H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.05Zeunerite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·12H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.05UM1997-18-AsO:HNiU
    Ni(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·6-8H
     
    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
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 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
    		[OH|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 8H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.20Chistyakovaite
    Al(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[(F,OH)|(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		] · 6.5H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.25Arsenuranospathite
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		·40H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.25Uranospathite
    HAl(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		·40H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.30Vochtenite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mg)Fe
    3+
     
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		[OH|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 12-13H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.35Coconinoite
    Fe
    3+
    2
    		Al
     
    2
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|SO
     
    4
    		|(PO
     
    4
    		)
     
    4
    		] · 20H
     
    2
    		O
    8.EB.40Ranunculite
    HAlUO
     
    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
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(AsO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    		·12H
     
    2
    		O
    20.7.8Arsenuranylite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		[(OH)
     
    2
    		|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 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
    		[O|AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    20.7.17Asselbornite
    Pb(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(BiO)
     
    3
    		(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.
    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 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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  • Look for Abernathyite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Abernathyite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Abernathyite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Abernathyite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    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 Mts
          • Aschaffenburg
            • Dörrmorsbach
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
          • Hösbach
            • Sailauf
              • Hartkoppe Mt.
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
    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
    • 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)
          • Temple Mountain
    		[Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index, 3rd Edition"]
    Mineral and/or Locality
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