Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Roubaultite

Big Photo

Kamoto Principal Mine (Kamoto Fond Mine; Kamoto Mine), Kamoto, Kolwezi, Western area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Brent Thorne

Formula:
Cu
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
10
 · 5H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicHardness:3
Name:Named after French geologist Pr. Marcel Roubault (1905-1974).
This page provides mineralogical data about Roubaultite.

Classification of Roubaultite

IMA status:Approved 1970
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.03-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EA.25

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
A : UO2:CO3 > 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:16b.7.13.1

16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.16.10

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3462.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Roubaultite

Type Locality:Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Year of Discovery:1970

Physical Properties of Roubaultite

Hardness (Mohs):3

Crystallography of Roubaultite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 7.73Å, b = 6.87Å, c = 10.87Å
α = 86.48°, β = 134.2°, γ = 93.17°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.125 : 1 : 1.582
Unit Cell Volume:V 412.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Roubaultite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.700 nβ = 1.800 nγ = 1.820 - 1.840
2V:Measured: 55° , Calculated: 46° to 60°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.120 - 0.140

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:relatively weak

Chemical Properties of Roubaultite

Formula:
Cu
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
10
 · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Cu, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, U

Relationship of Roubaultite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.EA.10Urancalcarite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
6
|CO
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
5.EA.15Wyartite
Ca
 
3
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
9
|CO
 
3
]
 
2
 · 3-5H
 
2
O
5.EA.20Oswaldpeetersite
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
5.EA.30Kamotoite-(Y)
Y
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
[O
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
3
] · 14H
 
2
O
5.EA.35Sharpite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(CO
 
3
)
 
5
] · 6H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
7.16.1Uraninite
UO
 
2
7.16.2Schoepite
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.16.3Paraschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.4Metaschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.5Metastudtite
UO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.6Studtite
UO
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.7Ianthinite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
7
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.16.8Compreignacite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.16.9Vandenbrandeite
Cu(UO
 
2
)(OH)
 
4
7.16.11Becquerelite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.16.12Rameauite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(OH)
 
16
 · H
 
2
O
7.16.13Agrinierite
K
 
2
(Ca,Sr)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.14Protasite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.15Billietite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
7.16.16Bauranoite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.17Metacalciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Na
 
2
)U
 
2
O
 
7
·2H
 
2
O
7.16.18Calciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb)U
 
2
O
 
7
·5H
 
2
O
7.16.19Orthobrannerite
UTi
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
7.16.20Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
7.16.21Davidite-(La)
(La,Ce)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.22Davidite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.23Brannerite
(U
4+
 
,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
6
7.16.24Fourmarierite
PbU
 
4
O
 
13
·4H
 
2
O
7.16.25Richetite
PbU
 
4
O
 
13
·4H
 
2
O
7.16.26Curite
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
8
(OH)
 
6
·2H
 
2
O
7.16.27Masuyite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.28Vandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
·12H
 
2
O
7.16.29Metavandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
·nH
 
2
O n < 12
7.16.30Sayrite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
7.16.31Wölsendorfite
(Pb,Ca)U
 
2
O
 
7
·2H
 
2
O
7.16.32Clarkeite
(Na,Ca,Pb)
 
2
U
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
7.16.33Uranosphaerite
Bi(UO
 
2
)O
 
2
(OH)

Other Names for Roubaultite

Synonyms:
IMA1970-030
German names:
Roubaultit
Russian names:
Рубоит
Spanish names:
Roubaultita

Other Information

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 Roubaultite

Reference List:Cesbron F., Pierrot R., et Verbeek T. (1970) - Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 93: 500-554.

American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1912.

Ginderow, D. and Cesbron, F. (1985) Structure de la roubaultite Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2·4H2O. Acta Crystallographica: 41: 654-657.

American Mineralogist (1986): 71: 1282.

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 Roubaultite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Roubaultite on Google
  • Look for Roubaultite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Roubaultite on Webmineral
  • Look for Roubaultite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Roubaultite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Roubaultite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Roubaultite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Roubaultite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Find Roubaultite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Search for Roubaultite on minvision.com
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Search for Roubaultite at Thames Valley Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Roubaultite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Shinkolobwe
    		Bull.Soc.fr.Min.Crist.(1970) 93, 550-554
        • Western area
          • Kolwezi
            • Kamoto
    		F. Cesbron, R. Pierrot, T. Verbeek: Bull. Minéral. 93:550-554 (1970)
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
    F. Cesbron, R. Pierrot, T. Verbeek: Bull. Minéral. 93:550-554 (1970)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the 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 hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.