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Parsonsite

Big Photo

São Pedro claim, Malacacheta, Mucuri valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Parsonsite Photos (56)
Formula:
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:Light citron-yellow, ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Name:For Canadian mineralogist Arthur Leonard Parsons (1873-1957), Professor of Mineralogy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.


The phosphate analogue of Hallimondite.

Classification of Parsonsite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.08-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EA.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:40.2a.31.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.11.36

19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
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Type Occurrence of Parsonsite

Type Locality:Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National School of Mines, Paris, France #123.89.
Year of Discovery:1923

Physical Properties of Parsonsite

Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Light citron-yellow, honey-brown, green-brown, pale rose (rare); pale yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):5.72 - 5.75 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.21 g/cm3

Crystallography of Parsonsite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 6.89Å, b = 10.42Å, c = 6.68Å
α = 101.43°, β = 98.25°, γ = 86.28°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.661 : 1 : 0.641
Unit Cell Volume:V 464.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals lath-like, elongated [001] and flattened {010}, exhibiting {001}, {101}, and {100}. Radial-fibrous spherulites; commonly as crusts and powdery aggregates.

Optical Data of Parsonsite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.850 nγ = 1.860
2V:Measured: 11° to 26°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic

Chemical Properties of Parsonsite

Formula:
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, O, P, Pb, U
All elements listed in formula:H, O, P, Pb, U

Relationship of Parsonsite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.EA.05Orthowalpurgite
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.EA.05Walpurgite
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.EA.05Phosphowalpurgite
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.EA.10Hallimondite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O, 0 ≤ n ≤ 0.5
8.EA.15Ulrichite
CaCu(UO
 
2
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.EA.20Lakebogaite
CaNaFe
3+
2
H(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.11.1Lermontovite
UPO
 
4
·OH·H
 
2
O
19.11.2Metavanmeersscheite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.11.3Vanmeersscheite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.11.4Chernikovite
(H
 
3
O)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.5Vyacheslavite
UPO
 
4
(OH)·nH
 
2
O
19.11.6Metanatroautunite
NaUO
 
2
PO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
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
19.11.14Meta-autunite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
· 6-8H
 
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
[O|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
19.11.18Phosphuranylite
(H
 
3
O)
 
3
KCa(UO
 
2
)
 
7
[O|PO
 
4
]
 
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
)
 
3
O
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
3
·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
HAlUO
 
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
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 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
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 8H
 
2
O
19.11.29Phuralumite
Al
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 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
HAl(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
·40H
 
2
O
19.11.33Althupite
AlTh(UO
 
2
)
 
7
[O
 
2
|(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 15H
 
2
O
19.11.34Françoisite-(Nd)
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[O|OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 6H
 
2
O
19.11.35Kivuite
H
 
2
Th(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[O|OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 6H
 
2
O (?)
19.11.37Dewindtite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.38Dumontite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.11.39Przhevalskite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 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
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 12-13H
 
2
O

Other Names for Parsonsite

Other Languages:
German:Parsonsit
Russian:Парсонсит
Spanish:Parsonsita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent.
Other Information:Radioactive. Soluble in acids.
Health Warning:Radioactive. Don't store in occupied areas. Avoid inhaling dust. Wash hands after handling.

References for Parsonsite

Reference List:Schoep (1923) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 176: 171.

Billiet (1926) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 49: 136.

Frondel, C. (1950) American Mineralogist: 35: 245-250.

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. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 913-914.

Frondel, C. (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. U.S. Geological Survey Bull. 1064: 233–236.

Mazzi, F., C.L. Garavelli, and F. Rinaldi
(1959) Richerche strutturali sulla parsonite [sic]. Rend. Soc. Mineral. Ital., 25, 364–365 (in Italian).

Burns, P.C. (2000) A new uranyl phosphate chain in the structure of parsonsite. American Mineralogist 85: 801-805.

Locock, A.J., Burns, P.C., Flynn, T.M. (2005): The role of water in the structures of synthetic hallimondite, Pb2[(UO2)(AsO4)2](H2O)n and synthetic parsonsite, Pb2[(UO2)(PO4)2](H2O)n, 0 ≤ n ≤ 0.5. American Mineralogist, 90, 240-246.

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 Parsonsite

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  • Parsonsite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Parsonsite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Northern Territory
      • Kakadu National Park
        • Jabiru
    Austria
     
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Gastein valley
          • Naßfeld valley
            • Kreuzkogel massif
    		Auer, Ch. (2005)
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Mucuri valley
          • Malacacheta
    		Stephan Wolfsried collection
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Krkonoše Mts (Riesengebirge)
          • Špindlerův Mlýn
    		Plášil J., Sejkora J., Škoda R., Goliáš V. 2006: Supergene Y, REE minerals from the Medvědín deposit, the Krkonoše (Giant) Mts., Czech Repulic. Mineralogia Polonica, vol. 28, 181-183
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		Lapis 2002(7/8), 54
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Olomouc Region
        • Javorník
          • Horní Hostice
    		Pauliš, P., Novák, F., Ševců, J.: Sekundární minerály z uranového ložiska Jelení vrch u Horních Hoštic v Rychlebských horách. Acta Musei Moraviae, Scientiae geologicae, 2004, roč. 89, s. 121 - 138.
    Sejkora, J.: Uranové ložisko Zálesí v Rychlebských horách. Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 1994, roč. 2, s. 105-110.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Shinkolobwe
    		Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris (1923): 176, 171-173; 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: 914.
    France
     
    • Auvergne
      • Allier
        • Ébreuil
          • Échassières
    		Le Règne Minéral, (33), 5-25.
      • Haute-Loire
        • La Chaise-Dieu
    		J.-J. Périchaud: "Les Minéraux d'Auvergne", Vol. 2, 1986
      • Puy-de-Dôme
        • Puy-Guillaume
          • Lachaux
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    J. Geffroy, J.A. Sarcia, J. Chervet : "Les Minéraux Uranifères Français", 1960, Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucléaires / Saclay - PUF.
    P.-C. Guiollard (2002), L'uranium du Morvan et du Forez, Ed. P.-C. Guiollard, Fichous(64), 95 pp.
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    J. Chervet, G. Branche : "Contribution à l'étude des minéraux secondaires d'uranium français", ENSP Nancy, 1955
    Queneau Patrice Collection
    • Brittany
      • Côtes-d'Armor
        • Moncontour
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
      • Finistère
        • Brest
          • Bohars
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
      • Morbihan
        • Pontivy
          • Guern
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    • Burgundy
      • Nièvre
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
      • Saône-et-Loire
        • Grury
          • La Faye
    		No reference listed
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
        • Issy-l'Evêque
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Lozère
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    • Limousin
      • Creuse
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
      • Haute-Vienne
        • Bessines-sur-Gartempe
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
        • Compreignac
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    • Rhône-Alpes
      • Loire
        • St Priest-la-Prugne
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Lower Bavaria
        • Bavarian Forest
          • Miltach
            • Wolfersdorf
    		S. Weiß: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Schwandorf
          • Wölsendorf Fluorite mining District
            • Wölsendorf East District (Wölsendorf - Nabburg District)
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
          • Steinbach
    		Gröbner, J., Grimm, O. & Zienau, H. (2005): Neufunde interessanter Wismut- und Uranmineralien am Schaarschacht, Johanngeorgenstadt, Sachsen. Lapis 30 (6), 44-51; 62.
        • Schneeberg District
          • Neustädtel
      • Vogtland
        • Oelsnitz
    		Gröbner, J. and Kolitsch, U. (2007): The minerals of the uranium prospect at Tirpersdorf, Vogtland. Lapis 32, 37-42; 58. (in German)
    • Thuringia
      • Wurzbach
        • Weitisberga
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Antrona Valley
            • Montescheno
    		Biffi, P., Sbacchi, M., Sinelli, E. (1999): La pegmatite de I Mondei, Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 23(1), 42-49.; Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007): Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    • Sardinia
      • Cagliari Province
        • Assemini
    		Ref: Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti uraniferi Italiani ed i loro minerali - Gruppo Mineralogico Lombardo-Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano - Milano, 1974, pp. 160-164
    Stara, P. (1990): La miniera di San Leone (CA). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 3/1990, 121-136.
        • Capoterra
    		Ref: Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti uraniferi Italiani ed i loro minerali - Gruppo Mineralogico Lombardo-Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano - Milano, 1974, pp. 160-164
    Portugal
     
    • Guarda District
      • Gouveia
        • Vila Cortês da Serra
    • Viseu District
      • Mangualde
        • Chãs de Tavares
          • Tragos
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Huachuca Mts
          • Hartford District (Huachuca Mountains District)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 322.
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Eight Mile Park pegmatite District
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 15, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckel, E. B.
      • Gunnison Co.
        • Tomichi District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State, p.234
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Grafton
    		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: 914.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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