Vanuralite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Vanuralite
Formula:
Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O
The formula of vanuralite and related minerals is commonly mistakenly written as to be containing VO4 groups. Since the structure does not contain any of them, but V2O8 dimers (pairs of edge-sharing VO5 tetragonal pyramids), the formula has to be written as Al[(UO2)2V2O8(OH)].11H2O. The real H2O content can be significantly lower (8.5H2O according to structure determination of Plášil, 2017).
Colour:
Citron-yellow, canary-yellow, pale yellow
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.62
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its composition: VANadium, URanium and ALuminium.
This page provides mineralogical data about Vanuralite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4152
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4152:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
00cf1c6d-44ef-44ab-9f71-b93d8f8654e3
IMA Classification of Vanuralite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8.5H2O
First published:
1963
Classification of Vanuralite
4.HB.20
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
Dana 7th ed.:
42.11.15.1
42.11.13.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
21.4.12
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Vnr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Vanuralite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Citron-yellow, canary-yellow, pale yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}
On {001}
Density:
3.62 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.16 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vanuralite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.650 nβ = 1.850 nγ = 1.900
2V:
Measured: 44° , Calculated: 46°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.250
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = Z = yellow.
Chemistry of Vanuralite
Mindat Formula:
Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O
The formula of vanuralite and related minerals is commonly mistakenly written as to be containing VO4 groups. Since the structure does not contain any of them, but V2O8 dimers (pairs of edge-sharing VO5 tetragonal pyramids), the formula has to be written as Al[(UO2)2V2O8(OH)].11H2O. The real H2O content can be significantly lower (8.5H2O according to structure determination of Plášil, 2017).
The formula of vanuralite and related minerals is commonly mistakenly written as to be containing VO4 groups. Since the structure does not contain any of them, but V2O8 dimers (pairs of edge-sharing VO5 tetragonal pyramids), the formula has to be written as Al[(UO2)2V2O8(OH)].11H2O. The real H2O content can be significantly lower (8.5H2O according to structure determination of Plášil, 2017).
Crystallography of Vanuralite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.55(3) Å, b = 8.44(3) Å, c = 24.52(5) Å
β = 103.0(3)°
β = 103.0(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.25 : 1 : 2.905
Unit Cell V:
2,127.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Elongated on [010]. Forms include prominent {100} and {001}, with smaller {011}, {110}, {111}, {111}, {113}.
Twinning:
Composition plane {001}
Comment:
Space Group: A21/a.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.96 Å | (90) |
| 5.00 Å | (80) |
| 3.326 Å | (30) |
| 2.679 Å | (25) |
| 2.490 Å | (18) |
Comments:
11.98 (FFF), 5.98 (FF), 3.975 (Fd), 3.231 (F), 3.180 (F), 5.14 (mF), 6.53 (mf)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Vanuralite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow plates
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
The Natural History Museum, London, England.
The Natural History Museum, London, England.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Supergene deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Branche, G., Bariand, P., Chantret, F., Pouget, R. & Rimsky, A. (1963) La vanuralite, nouveau mineral uranifère. Compte Rendu Acad. Sci. Paris: 256: 5374-5376.
Other Language Names for Vanuralite
Relationship of Vanuralite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O | Tric. |
| Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O | Orth. |
| Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnna |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Vanuralite associated with Mounanaite | PbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 2 photos of Vanuralite associated with Chervetite | Pb2(V2O7) |
| 1 photo of Vanuralite associated with Curienite-Francevillite Series | |
| 1 photo of Vanuralite associated with Curienite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Vanuralite associated with Francevillite | Ba(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HB.05 | Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.05 | Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O |
| 4.HB.10 | Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Curienite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Francevillite | Ba(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Fritzscheite | Mn(UO2)2(PO4,VO4)2 · 10H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.15 | Finchite | Sr(UO2)2(V2O8) · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O |
| 4.HB.30 | Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.35 | Uvanite | U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.40 | Rauvite | Ca(UO2)2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HB.45 | Vandermeerscheite | K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Vanuralite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4152.html
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References for Vanuralite
Reference List:
Localities for Vanuralite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Gabon (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Record 6:239 +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Eremin et al. (2023) |
Spain | |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
| Calvo (2009) |
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Mounana Mine, Mounana, Léboumbi-Leyou Department, Haut-Ogooué Province, Gabon