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Uranophane

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La Dorgissière Mine, Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre, Deux-Sèvres, Poitou-Charentes, France
© JM. Johannet

Show Uranophane Photos (67)
Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Light yellow, ...
Hardness:2 - 3
Name:From URANium plus Greek "phainesthai", to appear, in allusion to the uncertainty of its composition as originally determined.


Uranophane Group.

Classification of Uranophane

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.34-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AK.15

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
Dana 8th edition ID:53.3.1.2

53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.16.10

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates of U
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Type Occurrence of Uranophane

Type Locality:Miedzianka (Kupferberg), Jelenia Góra District, Rudawy Janowickie Mts, Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Poland
Year of Discovery:1853

Occurrences of Uranophane

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in uranium deposits and pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Uranophane

Lustre:Vitreous, Greasy, Silky, Dull, Earthy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Pearly on cleavage, waxy or dull when massive
Colour:Light yellow, lemon-yellow, honey-yellow, straw-yellow, green-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
on {100}
Density (measured):3.8 - 3.91 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.78 g/cm3

Crystallography of Uranophane

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2 - Sphenoidal
Space Group:P21 (P1 1 21) [P21] {P1 21 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 15.85Å, b = 6.98Å, c = 6.64Å
β = 97.45°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.271 : 1 : 0.951
Unit Cell Volume:V 728.40 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Composite needles, stellate aggregates, fibrous or felted crusts, massive.

Optical Data of Uranophane

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.643 nβ = 1.666 nγ = 1.669
2V:Measured: 32° to 45°, Calculated: 38°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.026

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v strong
Pleochroism:Weak
Comments:X= colorless
Y= pale canary yellow
Z= canary yellow

Chemical Properties of Uranophane

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, Si, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, Si, U

Relationship of Uranophane to other Species

Related to:
  • Uranophane Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    9.AK.05Soddyite
    (UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		SiO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.10Cuprosklodowskite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 6H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.10Oursinite
    (Co,Mg)(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 6H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.10Sklodowskite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.15Boltwoodite
    (K,Na)(UO
     
    2
    		)[HSiO
     
    4
    		] · 0.5H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.15Kasolite
    Pb(UO
     
    2
    		)[SiO
     
    4
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.15Natroboltwoodite
    (H
     
    3
    		O)(Na,K)UO
     
    2
    		SiO
     
    4
    		·H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.15Beta-Uranophane
    9.AK.20Swamboite
    UH
     
    6
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    6
    		(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    		·30H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.25Haiweeite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[Si
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		]·4.5H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.25Metahaiweeite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    15
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.25Ranquilite
    9.AK.30Weeksite
    K
     
    2
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		)
     
    3
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.30Coutinhoite
    Th
     
    x
    		Ba
     
    (1-2x)
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		Si
     
    5
    		O
     
    13
    		·(H
     
    2
    		O)
     
    1+y
    		 (0 < x < 0.5 and 0 < y < (2+x))
    9.AK.35Ursilite
    (Mg,Ca)
     
    4
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		)
     
    5.5
    		(OH)
     
    5
    		·13H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.35Magnioursilite
    Mg
     
    4
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		)
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    6
    		·20H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.35Calcioursilite
    Ca
     
    4
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    4
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		)
     
    5
    		(OH)
     
    6
    		·15H
     
    2
    		O
    9.AK.40Uranosilite
    UO
     
    3
    		 · 7SiO
     
    2
    Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
    14.16.1Uranosilite
    UO
     
    3
    		 · 7SiO
     
    2
    14.16.2Coffinite
    (U,Th)[(OH)
     
    4x
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    1-x
    		]
    14.16.3Soddyite
    (UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		SiO
     
    4
    		·2H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.4Swamboite
    UH
     
    6
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    6
    		(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    		·30H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.5Weeksite
    K
     
    2
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    5
    		)
     
    3
    		·4H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.6Boltwoodite
    (K,Na)(UO
     
    2
    		)[HSiO
     
    4
    		] · 0.5H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.7Natroboltwoodite
    (H
     
    3
    		O)(Na,K)UO
     
    2
    		SiO
     
    4
    		·H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.8Cuprosklodowskite
    Cu(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 6H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.9Sklodowskite
    Mg(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.11β-Uranophane
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 5H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.12Haiweeite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[Si
     
    5
    		O
     
    12
    		(OH)
     
    2
    		]·4.5H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.13Metahaiweeite
    Ca(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		Si
     
    6
    		O
     
    15
    		·nH
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.14Thorogummite
    (Th,U)[(OH)
     
    4x
    		|(SiO
     
    4
    		)
     
    1-x
    		]
    14.16.15Steacyite
    ([ ],K)(Na,Ca)
     
    2
    		(Th,U)[Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    20
    		]
    14.16.16Ekanite
    (Ca,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Pb)
     
    2
    		(Th,U)[Si
     
    8
    		O
     
    20
    		]
    14.16.17Kasolite
    Pb(UO
     
    2
    		)[SiO
     
    4
    		] · H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.18 Orlite
    Pb
     
    3
    		(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    3
    		(Si
     
    2
    		O
     
    7
    		)
     
    2
    		·6H
     
    2
    		O
    14.16.19Oursinite
    (Co,Mg)(UO
     
    2
    		)
     
    2
    		[HSiO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    		 · 6H
     
    2
    		O

    Other Names for Uranophane

    Synonyms:
    Alpha-Uranotileα-UranotileLambertiteUranofaneUranotil
    Uranotile
    German names:
    LambertitUranophanUranophan-αUranophan-alpha
    Russian names:
    Уранофан
    Spanish names:
    Lambertita

    Other Information

    Fluorescence in UV light:Weakly green, usually not fluorescent when massive
    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 Uranophane

    Reference List:Zeits. deutsche Geol.Ges. (1853), 5, 427.

    American Mineralogist (1939): 24: 324-328.

    Ginderow, D. (1988) Structure de l'uranophane alpha, Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2.5H2O. Acta Crystallographica: C44: 421-424.

    American Mineralogist (1986): 71: 1489-1493.

    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 Uranophane

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  • Look for Uranophane on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Uranophane in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Uranophane details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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