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Ursilite

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Formula:
(Mg,Ca)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
5.5
(OH)
 
5
 · 13H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Light yellow, ...
Lustre:Vitreous, SilkyHardness:2 - 3
Name:The name reflects the URANium and SILicon content
This page provides mineralogical data about Ursilite.

Classification of Ursilite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.37-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AK.35

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
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Type Occurrence of Ursilite

Type Locality:Oktyabr'skoye U Deposit, Kyzyltyube-Sai, Khodzhent (Leninabad), Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad), Tajikistan

Occurrences of Ursilite

Geological Setting:Uranium deposit

Physical Properties of Ursilite

Lustre:Vitreous, Silky
Colour:Light yellow, straw-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Density (calculated):3.25 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ursilite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 11.60Å, b = 14.68Å, c = 12.83Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.79 : 1 : 0.874
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,184.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:6
Morphology:Needlelike crystals (only visible in SEM)

Optical Data of Ursilite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.570 nγ = 1.584
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.014

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

Chemical Properties of Ursilite

Formula:
(Mg,Ca)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
5.5
(OH)
 
5
 · 13H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Mg, O, Si, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, Mg, O, Si, U

Relationship of Ursilite to other Species

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.15β-Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
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.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

Other Names for Ursilite

Synonyms:
Mg-Ursilite
Other Languages:
German:Mg-Ursilit
Ursilit
Spanish:Ursilita
Varieties:
Calcium-ursiliteMagnioursilite

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 Ursilite

Reference List:

- +
Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva (1977): 106: 553-564.

Internet Links for Ursilite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Ursilite on Google
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    • External Links:
  • Look for Ursilite on Webmineral
  • Look for Ursilite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Ursilite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
    • Mineral Dealers:
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  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Search for - Ursilite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
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  • Ursilite specimens for sale - minfind.com
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  • Fabre Minerals - search for Ursilite specimens
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
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    • Localities for Ursilite

    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.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Helmand Province (Hilmend Province; Hilmand Province)
      • Dushan District
        • Khanneshin complex
    		Orris, G.J., and Bliss, J.D. (2002): Mines and Mineral Occurrences of Afghanistan. United States Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-110
    Tajikistan
     
    • Region of Republican Subordination
      • Tien Shan Mts
        • Alai (Alayskiy) Range
    		http://www.koeln.netsurf.de/~w.steffens/dara.htm
    • Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad)
      • Khodzhent (Leninabad)
        • Kyzyltyube-Sai
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
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