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Walpurgite

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Big Photo

Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Walpurgite Photos (30)



Formula:
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicColour:yellow, orange-yellow; ...
Hardness:3½
Name:For the type locality, Walpurgis vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany.


Walpurgite Group.

Classification of Walpurgite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/E.10-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.EA.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
Dana 8th edition ID:40.5.9.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.6.6

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
6 : Arsenates of Bi
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Type Occurrence of Walpurgite

Type Locality:Walpurgis Flacher vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine (Shaft 3), Neustädtel, Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1871
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ZeuneriteUranospiniteUranosphaeriteTorbernite

Physical Properties of Walpurgite

Lustre:Adamantine, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:yellow, orange-yellow; colourless to light yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):3½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
Density (calculated):6.69 g/cm3

Crystallography of Walpurgite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 7.13Å, b = 10.44Å, c = 5.49Å
α = 101.6°, β = 110.82°, γ = 88.28°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.683 : 1 : 0.526
Unit Cell Volume:V 373.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals lath-like [001] and tabular {010} with an oblique termination. Occurs also as sub-parallel aggregates and radial groups.
Twinning:Twin plane and composition surface {010}, common, the twinned aggregates pseudo-monoclinic (resembling gypsum).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Walpurgite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.871 - 1.910 nβ = 1.975 - 2.000 nγ = 2.005 - 2.060
2V:Measured: 50° to 60°, Calculated: 54° to 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.134 - 0.150

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

Chemical Properties of Walpurgite

Formula:
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:As, Bi, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:As, Bi, H, O, U

Relationship of Walpurgite to other Species

Structurally related to group(s):
Walpurgite Group
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.EA.05Orthowalpurgite
(BiO)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
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.10Parsonsite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
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
 · 8H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
20.6.1Rooseveltite
Bi(AsO
 
4
)
20.6.2Preisingerite
Bi
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH)
20.6.3Arsenobismite
20.6.4Atelestite
Bi
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)O(OH)
20.6.5Mixite
BiCu
 
6
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Walpurgite

Synonyms:
Phosphate-walpurgiteWaltherite (of Vogl)
Other Languages:
German:Walpurgin
Russian:Вальпургит
Simplified Chinese:砷铋铀矿
Spanish:Walpurgita

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 Walpurgite

Reference List:

- +
Weisbach, A. (1871), Vorläufige Mittheilung [Über Trögerit und Walpurgin].- Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, 869-870.

Weisbach A. (1873), Neue Uranerze von Neustädtel bei Schneeberg.- Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Hüttenwesen im Königreiche Sachsen, Abhandlungen, 119-121.

Winkler (1873) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 7: 6.

Zepharovich, V.R. von (1873). Mineralogisches Lexicon fur das Kaiserthum Oesterreich. vol. 2: 341 (Cites Lindacker in Vogl (1857) relating to Waltherite).

Weisbach, A. (1877) Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Hüttenwesen im Königreiche Sachsen, Abhandlungen, 1.

Bertrand (1881) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 4: 58 (as Waltherite).

Chester, A.H. (1896) A Dictionary of the Names of Minerals including Their History and Etymology, 320pp., New York: 285 (Waltherite).

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 155.

Frondel, C. (1943) American Mineralogist: 28: 521 (as Waltherite).

Fischer (1946) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 106: 25.

Fischer (1948) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte, Abt. A: 44.

Evans (1950) American Mineralogist: 35: 1021.

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.: 796-797.

Mereiter, K. (1982b) The crystal structure of walpurgite, (UO2)Bi4O4(AsO4)2·2H2O. Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 30: 129-139.

American Mineralogist (1983): 68: 852.

European Journal of Mineralogy (1995): 7: 1313.

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 Walpurgite

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    • Localities for Walpurgite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Krkonoše Mts (Riesengebirge)
          • Špindlerův Mlýn
    		- Plášil J., Sejkora J., Plecháček J., Jebavá I., Škácha P., Škoda R., Fejfarová K.: Walpurgin z uranového ložiska Medvědín (Česká republika). Bulletin mineralogicko-petrografického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze, 2011, 19, 2, 171-181.
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		Vogl (1857) Gangverhaltn. und Mineralreich, Joachimsthal, Teplitz: 169; Palache et al (1951), Dana's System of Mineralogiy, 7th. ed., Vol. 2: 262.
    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: 797; Lapis (2002): (7/8), 54.
        • Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad)
          • Slavkovský Les Mts
    		Sejkora, J., Cejka, J., Hlousek, J., Srein, V., Novotna, M. (2002): Phosphatian walpurgite from Smrkovec, the Slavonsky Les Mts. (Czech Republic): its description and physico-chemical characteristics. Neues Jahrb.Mineral, Mh., 2002, 353-367
      • Liberec Region
        • Harrachov (Harrachsdorf)
    		Bradna, J., Šita, F.: Nálezy minerál na Rýžovišti u Harrachova. Opera Corcontica, 1968, 5, s. 246-247.
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Burgfelsen
    		No reference listed
            • Heubach Valley
    		No reference listed
    K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Schiltach
          • Stammelbach valley
    		[Lapis 1992, 11, p.13-20]
        • Triberg
          • Nußbach
    		No reference listed
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		WALENTA, K. (1995): Neue Mineralfunde von der Grube Clara. 6. Folge, 2. Teil. - Lapis 20 (6), 41 und 46-49.
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Altenberg
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Breitenbrunn District
          • Antonsthal
    		Gröbner J., Kolitsch U.; Neufunde aus dem Erzgebirge (II), Mineralien-Welt Jg 17 (2006), 3, pag. 22-27.
        • Ehrenfriedersdorf
          • Geyer
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Eibenstock
          • Blauenthal
    		Tröger, S. (2009): Der Steinbruch Fahsel im Eibenstocker Granit, Westerzgebirge. Lapis 34 (6), 49-52.
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
          • Johanngeorgenstadt
    		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
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    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: 793.
    A. Weisbach (1871): Vorläufige Mittheilung [Über Trögerit und Walpurgin].- Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, 869-870; 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: 797, 967, 991.
    Schlegel, L., Kleeberg, R. & Meisser, N. (1996): Lapis 21(9), 37-41.
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
          • Wolfgang Maaßen Mine field
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
          • Zschorlau
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
      • Vogtland
        • Oelsnitz
    		Gröbner, J. and Kolitsch, U. (2007): The minerals of the uranium prospect at Tirpersdorf, Vogtland. Lapis 32, 37-42; 58. (in German)
    Germany & Czech Republic
     
    • Saxony & Ústí Region (Bohemia; Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Erzgebirge; Krusné Hory Mts
    		Sejkora, J., Škoda, R., Škácha, P., Bureš, B. & Dvořák, Z. (2009): Nové mineralogické nálezy na Sn-W ložisku Cínovec v Krušných horách (Česká republika). Bulletin mineralogicko-petrologického oddělení Národního muzea v Praze 17 (2), 23-30 (in Czech with English abstract).
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
    		Bezing, L. von, Bode, R. & Jahn, S. (2008): Namibia Minerals and Localities. Edition Schloss Freudenstein, Bode Verlag GmbH, Haltern, 321 pp. (in English)
      • Karibib District
    		Schnaitmann, E. A., Nägele, H., Niedermayr, G., Brandstätter, F. & Jahn, S. (2007): Das Metazeunerit-Pocket auf Tubussis 22, Erongo. Mineralien-Welt 18 (2), 33-43. (in German)
    Portugal
     
    • Viseu District
      • Viseu
    		Luis Martins collection
    UK
     
    • Scotland
      • Dumfries & Galloway (Kirkcudbrightshire)
        • Dalbeattie
    		Livingstone, 2002, p. 186
        • Needle's Eye
    		BMS Database; R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) Rare Minerals, Including Several New to Britain, in Supergene Alteration of U-Cu-As-Bi-Co Mineralisation Near Dalbeattie, South Scotland. Mineralogical Magazine 54:129-131.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Kern Co.
        • Kern River Uranium District
          • Miracle Hot Springs (Hobo Hot Springs)
    		Troxel, Bennie Wyatt & P.K. Morton (1962), Mines and mineral resources of Kern County, California: California Division Mines & Geology County Report 1, 370 pp.: 333; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 330.
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. 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. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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