Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Meisserite

A valid IMA mineral species

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

Photos of Meisserite (6)

Meisserite Gallery Search Photos of Meisserite

Edit Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Meisserite, etc.

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite, etc.

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite, etc.

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Meisserite

Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

Hide all sections | Show all sections

About MeisseriteHide

Formula:

Na₅(UO₂)(SO₄)₃(SO₃OH)(H₂O)

Colour:

Pale green to yellowish green

Hardness:

Specific Gravity:

3.208 (Calculated)

Crystal System:

Triclinic

Name:

Named in honour of Nicolas Meisser (b. 1964), Swiss mineralogist and Curator of Mineralogy and Petrography, Cantonal Museum of Geology, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

The crystal structure of meisserite is topologically unique among known structures of uranyl minerals and inorganic compounds.

Structurally related to fermiite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

43905

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:43905:9

GUID
(UUID V4):

798bab94-16b6-4dba-917b-ef5c2ae9ba08

IMA Classification of MeisseriteHide

IMA status:

Approved

Approval year:

2013

Classification of MeisseriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

7.EC.45

7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Mss	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 MeisseriteHide

Transparency:

Transparent, Translucent

Colour:

Pale green to yellowish green

Streak:

Very pale yellow

Hardness:

2 on Mohs scale

Comment:

Estimated

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Imperfect/Fair
on {100} and {001}

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Density:

3.208 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of MeisseriteHide

Type:

Biaxial (-)

RI values:

n_α = 1.514(1) n_β = 1.546(1) n_γ = 1.557(1)

2V:

Measured: 60° (2), Calculated: 60°

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.043

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Surface Relief:

Low

Dispersion:

r > v, perceptible

Pleochroism:

Visible

Comments:

With X (colourless) < Y (pale yellow) ≈ Z (pale greenish yellow)

Chemistry of MeisseriteHide

Mindat Formula:

Na₅(UO₂)(SO₄)₃(SO₃OH)(H₂O)

Elements listed:

H, Na, O, S, U - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MeisseriteHide

Crystal System:

Triclinic

Class (H-M):

1 - Pinacoidal

Space Group:

Cell Parameters:

a = 5.32317(10) Å, b = 11.5105(2) Å, c = 13.5562(10) Å
α = 102.864(7)°, β = 97.414(7)°, γ = 91.461(6)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.462 : 1 : 1.178

Unit Cell V:

801.74 Å³

Morphology:

Prisms elongated on [100], up to 0.3 mm long, exhibiting the forms {010} and {001}.

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

Rotation
Stop | Start

Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow

Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Link	Year	Locality	Pressure (GPa)	Temp (K)
0019992	Meisserite	Plasil J, Kampf A R, Kasatkin A V, Marty J, Skoda R, Silva S, Cejka K (2013) Meisserite, Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O), a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA Mineralogical Magazine 77 2975-2988		2013	Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Meisserite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Plasil J'
'Kampf A R'
'Kasatkin A V'
'Marty J'
'Skoda R'
'Silva S'
'Cejka K'
_journal_name_full 'Mineralogical Magazine'
_journal_volume 77 
_journal_year 2013
_journal_page_first 2975
_journal_page_last 2988
_publ_section_title
;
 Meisserite, Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O), a new uranyl sulfate mineral from
 the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA
;
_database_code_amcsd 0019992
_chemical_compound_source 'Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Na5 U S4 O19 H3'
_cell_length_a 5.32317
_cell_length_b 11.5105
_cell_length_c 13.5562
_cell_angle_alpha 102.864
_cell_angle_beta 97.414
_cell_angle_gamma 91.461
_cell_volume 801.739
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.265
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P -1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Na1   0.00000   0.50000   0.00000   0.04660
Na2  -0.47160   0.32662   0.08994   0.02810
Na3   0.00000   0.00000   0.50000   0.02870
Na4   0.00110   0.49703   0.25123   0.02630
Na5   0.94820   0.21045   0.32254   0.02510
Na6   0.58660   0.96230   0.11352   0.05660
U   0.51553   0.72634   0.42144   0.01041
S1   0.53696   0.61313   0.14996   0.01210
S2   0.48968   0.02464   0.36262   0.01280
S3   0.47165   0.60341   0.64320   0.01250
S4  -0.96290   0.17485   0.06747   0.01960
O1   0.52020   0.70390   0.09090   0.03010
O2   0.29010   0.55620   0.15050   0.02690
O3  -0.29070   0.52170   0.11050   0.02050
O4   0.65280   0.67090   0.25806   0.01570
O5   0.56270   0.06820   0.27740   0.02230
O6   0.21260   0.02140   0.36160   0.02120
O7   0.58630   0.90440   0.35970   0.02210
O8   0.61760   0.10350   0.46037   0.01430
O9   0.25660   0.37480   0.33090   0.02930
O10  -0.33600   0.35690   0.26893   0.01950
O11   0.59540   0.52560   0.39800   0.02810
O12   0.37150   0.66620   0.56277   0.01670
O13  -0.06910   0.12450   0.14160   0.03080
O14  -0.96950   0.30420   0.08790   0.03170
O15  -0.71050   0.13650   0.04870   0.02160
O-h16  -0.14720   0.12390  -0.03310   0.02680
H16  -0.07900   0.13200  -0.08500   0.03220
O17   0.20300   0.69820   0.35680   0.01930
O18   0.82680   0.75990   0.48850   0.01900
Ow19   0.95020   0.86650   0.19200   0.04030
H19a   0.01700   0.91200   0.25100   0.04830
H19b   0.92200   0.79900   0.20500   0.04830
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Na1 0.01710 0.10400 0.01320 -0.00510 0.00230 0.00170
Na2 0.03660 0.02720 0.01830 -0.01090 -0.00090 0.00470
Na3 0.01790 0.04950 0.02570 0.00910 0.00770 0.01970
Na4 0.02080 0.03240 0.02820 -0.00440 -0.00230 0.01570
Na5 0.02490 0.02430 0.02720 0.00010 0.00300 0.00840
Na6 0.03410 0.09740 0.02430 -0.01230 0.00920 -0.01680
U 0.01315 0.00957 0.00852 0.00027 0.00252 0.00154
S1 0.01320 0.01400 0.00870 -0.00050 0.00110 0.00220
S2 0.01830 0.01120 0.00930 -0.00070 0.00470 0.00220
S3 0.01640 0.01180 0.01120 0.00270 0.00490 0.00460
S4 0.01950 0.02050 0.01860 -0.00090 0.00710 0.00180
O1 0.04640 0.02660 0.01830 0.00020 -0.00350 0.01230
O2 0.01880 0.04180 0.01580 -0.01150 0.00340 -0.00190
O3 0.02080 0.02060 0.01810 0.00650 0.00530 -0.00210
O4 0.01690 0.01850 0.00940 -0.00030 0.00130 -0.00140
O5 0.03130 0.02590 0.01170 -0.00310 0.00810 0.00640
O6 0.01680 0.02800 0.01590 -0.00270 0.00140 -0.00020
O7 0.03630 0.01130 0.02150 0.00380 0.01610 0.00250
O8 0.01660 0.01300 0.01140 0.00060 0.00050 -0.00080
O9 0.01680 0.04280 0.03480 0.00060 0.00230 0.02330
O10 0.02520 0.02460 0.01080 0.00490 0.00890 0.00420
O11 0.05100 0.01050 0.02410 0.00360 0.01000 0.00410
O12 0.02090 0.01800 0.01420 0.00370 0.00280 0.00950
O13 0.03240 0.03500 0.02740 -0.00490 0.01750 0.00510
O14 0.03900 0.01910 0.03440 0.00010 0.00830 -0.00130
O15 0.01750 0.02780 0.02020 0.00030 0.00700 0.00430
O-h16 0.02050 0.03330 0.02390 -0.00200 0.00050 0.00270
H16 0.01400 0.02790 0.01580 -0.00130 0.00290 0.00410
O17 0.01450 0.02450 0.01600 0.00050 0.00060 0.00130
O18 0.05400 0.04100 0.02020 -0.02130 0.00480 -0.00260

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
13.15 Å	(81)
6.33 Å	(62)
5.64 Å	(52)
5.24 Å	(100)
4.67 Å	(68)
3.849 Å	(48)
2.969 Å	(93)
1.918 Å	(47)

Comments:

From Type Description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47b : [Sulfates and sulfites]
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals	<10 Ka
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals

Type Occurrence of MeisseriteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA

General Appearance of Type Material:

A secondary mineral formed by the post-mining weathering of uraninite.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Type material is deposited in the collections of the the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4410/1, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Johannite	Gypsum	Ferrinatrite	Copiapite	Chalcanthite
Belakovskiite

Synonyms of MeisseriteHide

IMA2013-039

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

2 photos of Meisserite associated with Rozenite	FeSO₄ · 4H₂O
1 photo of Meisserite associated with Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
1 photo of Meisserite associated with Manganoblödite	Na₂Mn(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
1 photo of Meisserite associated with Lussierite	Na₁₀[(UO₂)(SO₄)₄](SO₄)₂ · 3(H₂O)
1 photo of Meisserite associated with Belakovskiite	Na₇(UO₂)(SO₄)₄(SO₃OH)(H₂O)₃

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

7.EC.	Adolfpateraite	K(UO₂)(SO₄)(OH)(H₂O)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
7.EC.	Beshtauite	(NH₄)₂(UO₂)(SO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
7.EC.	Seaborgite	LiK₂Na₆(UO₂)(SO₄)₅(SO₃OH)(H₂O)	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.	Nitscheite	(NH₄)₂[(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₃(H₂O)₂] · 3H₂O	Mon. 2/m
7.EC.	Oldsite	K₂Fe²⁺[(UO₂)(SO₄)₂]₂(H₂O)₈	Orth. mm2 : Pmn2₁
7.EC.	Libbyite	(NH₄)₂(Na₂◻)[(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₃(H₂O)]₂ · 7H₂O	Tet. 4 2 2 : P4₁ 2₁ 2
7.EC.05	Cobaltzippeite	Co(UO₂)₂(SO₄)O₂ · 3.5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05	Magnesiozippeite	Mg(UO₂)₂(SO₄)O₂ · 3.5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05	Nickelzippeite	Ni₂(UO₂)₆(SO₄)₃(OH)₁₀ · 16H₂O	Mon.
7.EC.05	Natrozippeite	Na₅(UO₂)₈(SO₄)₄O₅(OH)₃ · 12H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
7.EC.05	Zinczippeite	Zn(UO₂)₂(SO₄)O₂ · 3.5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05	Zippeite	K₃(UO₂)₄(SO₄)₂O₃(OH) · 3H₂O	Mon. 2 : B2
7.EC.05	Plavnoite	K_0.8Mn_0.6[(UO₂)₂O₂(SO₄)] · 3.5H₂O	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05	Redcanyonite	(NH₄)₂Mn[(UO₂)₄O₄(SO₄)₂](H₂O)₄	Mon. 2/m : B2/m
7.EC.05	Ammoniozippeite	(NH₄)₂[(UO₂)₂(SO₄)O₂] · H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
7.EC.10	Rabejacite	Ca(UO₂)₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₆ · 6H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.10	Svornostite	K₂Mg[(UO₂)(SO₄)₂]₂ · 8H₂O	Orth. mm2 : Pmn2₁
7.EC.15	Marécottite	Mg₃(UO₂)₈(SO₄)₄O₆(OH)₂ · 28H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.15	Sejkoraite-(Y)	Y₂(UO₂)₈(SO₄)₄O₆(OH)₂ · 26H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.20	Pseudojohannite	Cu₃(OH)₂[(UO₂)₄(SO₄)₂] · 12H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.40	Bluelizardite	Na₇(UO₂)(SO₄)₄Cl(H₂O)₂	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
7.EC.45	Fermiite	Na₄(UO₂)(SO₄)₃ · 3H₂O	Orth. mm2 : Pmn2₁
7.EC.45	Oppenheimerite	Na₂(UO₂)(SO₄)₂ · 3H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.50	Plášilite	Na(UO₂)(SO₄)(OH) · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
7.EC.50	Feynmanite	Na(UO₂)(SO₄)(OH) · 3.5H₂O	Mon.
7.EC.55	Geschieberite	K₂(UO₂)(SO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁
7.EC.60	Ottohahnite	Na₆(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₅(H₂O)₇ · 1.5H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.65	Péligotite	Na₆(UO₂)(SO₄)₄ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
7.EC.70	Klaprothite	Na₆(UO₂)(SO₄)₄ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
7.EC.75	Lussierite	Na₁₀[(UO₂)(SO₄)₄](SO₄)₂ · 3(H₂O)	Mon. m : Bb
7.EC.80	Navrotskyite	K₂Na₁₀(UO₂)₃(SO₄)₉ · 2H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
7.EC.85	Pseudomeisserite-(NH4)	(NH₄)₂Na₄[(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₅] · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
7.EC.90	Wetherillite	Na₂Mg(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₄ · 18H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b

Fluorescence of MeisseriteHide

In UV light:

Bright yellow green fluorescence under both long- and shortwave UV radiation.

Other InformationHide

Notes:

Somewhat hygroscopic and easily soluble in water.

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 MeisseriteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-43905.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

Look for Meisserite on Google

Look for Meisserite images on Google

Look for Meisserite on Bing

Look for Meisserite images on Bing

Look for Meisserite on DuckDuckGo

Look for Meisserite images on DuckDuckGo

Look for Meisserite in the Rock H. Currier Digital Library

External Links:

Look for Meisserite on Webmineral

Look for Meisserite on Wikipedia

Look for Meisserite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Wilensky Exquisite Minerals

Buy rare minerals from Excalibur Minerals

The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals

High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service

Buy from David K Joyce minerals

Blue Gems Australian & International

Buy from McDougall Minerals

References for MeisseriteHide

Reference List:

Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No.17. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (7) 2997-3005 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.7.09

Plášil, J., Kampf, A. R., Kasatkin, A. V., Marty, J., Škoda, R., Silva, S., Čejka, J. (2013) Meisserite, Na₅(UO₂)(SO₄)₃(SO₃OH)(H₂O), a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (7) 2975-2988 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.7.07

(2023) Meisserite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for MeisseriteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.

USA (TL)

Utah

San Juan County

Red Canyon Mining District

ⓘ Blue Lizard Mine (TL)

Williams et al. (2013) +1 other reference

Meisserite

About MeisseriteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of MeisseriteHide

Classification of MeisseriteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of MeisseriteHide

Optical Data of MeisseriteHide

Chemistry of MeisseriteHide

Crystallography of MeisseriteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of MeisseriteHide

Synonyms of MeisseriteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Fluorescence of MeisseriteHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for MeisseriteHide

References for MeisseriteHide

Localities for MeisseriteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide