Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Barnesite

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

Cactus Rat Mine, Cisco, Yellow Cat District (W. part of Thompsons District), Grand Co., Utah, USA
© Brent Thorne

Show Barnesite Photos (8)



Formula:
(Na,Ca)V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Brilliant dark red; ...
Hardness:3
Member of:Hewettite Group
Name:Named in honor of William Howard Barnes (1903-1980), Canadian physicist and crystallographer, McGill University, Montreal (1924-1946), Head of X-ray Diffraction Section, Division of Physics, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa (1947-1968), a major contributor to the knowledge of the crystal chemistry and crystal structures of vanadium minerals.
For obituary see http://journals.iucr.org/a/issues/1981/02/00/a19646/a19646.pdf
This page provides mineralogical data about Barnesite.

Classification of Barnesite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/G.12-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.HG.45

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
Dana 8th edition ID:47.3.1.3

47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
Hey's CIM Ref.:21.1.3

21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-533.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Barnesite

Type Locality:Cactus Rat Mine, Cisco, Yellow Cat District (W. part of Thompsons District), Grand Co., Utah, USA
Geological Setting of type material:In small cavities and fractures and as interstitial filling in sandstone in the oxidized zone of a vanadiferous uranium deposit
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ThenarditeMetahewettite

Physical Properties of Barnesite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Brilliant dark red; brownish red on exposure
Hardness (Mohs):3
Tenacity:Fragile
Cleavage:Perfect
on {001}, fair on {100} and {010}
Density (measured):3.09 - 3.15 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.23 g/cm3

Crystallography of Barnesite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P2/m {P1 1 2/m} {P2/m} {P1 2/m 1}
Cell Parameters:a = 12.17Å, b = 3.602Å, c = 7.78Å
β = 95.03°
Ratio:a:b:c = 3.379 : 1 : 2.16
Unit Cell Volume:V 339.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Subparallel to radiating aggregates of bladed to fibrous crystals, elongated along [010], to 0.5 mm; also as botryoidal to velvety coatings.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
12.2 (25)
7.90 (100)
3.45 (35)
3.12 (70)
2.92 (18)
2.27 (25)
1.800 (25)
Comments:Recorded on type material

Optical Data of Barnesite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.797 - 1.800 nβ = 2.010 - 2.040 nγ = 2.040 - 2.080
2V:Measured: 60°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.243 - 0.280

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r << v
Pleochroism:Strong
Comments:X = yellow, Y = yellow-orange, Z = red; Orientation: Y = a, Z = b, X vs. c = 5°

Chemical Properties of Barnesite

Formula:
(Na,Ca)V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Na, O, V
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, Na, O, V
Analytical Data:Analysis of material from Cactus Rat Mine, Utah, USA. Material from Kazakhstan has a distinct calcium content, and V4+ replacing V5+.
V2O5 (82.40)
SiO2 (0.40)
Na2O (9.10)
H2O (7.72)

sum 99.63 wt.-%
Common Impurities:Ca

Relationship of Barnesite to other Species

Member of:Hewettite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Grantsite
(Na,Ca)V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
Hendersonite
(Ca,Sr)
 
1.3
V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 6H
 
2
O
Hewettite
CaV
 
6
O
 
16
 · 9H
 
2
O
Metahewettite
CaV
 
6
O
 
16
 · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.HG.05Fervanite
Fe
3+
4
V
5+
4
O
 
16
 · 5H
 
2
O
4.HG.10Huemulite
Na
 
4
Mg(V
 
10
O
 
28
) · 24H
 
2
O
4.HG.15Vanalite
NaAl
 
8
V
 
10
O
 
38
 · 30H
 
2
O
4.HG.20Simplotite
CaV
4+
4
O
 
9
 · 5H
 
2
O
4.HG.25Vanoxite
V
4+
4
V
5+
2
O
 
13
 · 8H
 
2
O
4.HG.30Navajoite
Fe
3+
 
V
5+
9
O
 
24
 · 12H
 
2
O
4.HG.35Delrioite
CaSr(V
 
2
O
 
6
)(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.HG.40Metadelrioite
CaSr(V
 
2
O
 
6
)(OH)
 
2
4.HG.50Hendersonite
(Ca,Sr)
 
1.3
V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 6H
 
2
O
4.HG.55Grantsite
(Na,Ca)V
 
6
O
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.HG.60Lenoblite
V
4+
2
O
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.HG.65Satpaevite
Al
 
12
V
4+
2
V
5+
6
O
 
37
 · 30H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
21.1.1Metamunirite
NaVO
 
3
21.1.2Munirite
NaVO
 
3
 · 1.9H
 
2
O
21.1.4Bannermanite
(Na,K)
 
0.7
V
4+
0.7
V
5+
5.3
O
 
15
21.1.5Howardevansite
NaCuFe
 
2
(VO
 
4
)
 
3
21.1.6Huemulite
Na
 
4
Mg(V
 
10
O
 
28
) · 24H
 
2
O
21.1.7Blossite
α-Cu
 
2
(V
 
2
O
 
7
)
21.1.8Ziesite
β-Cu
 
2
(V
 
2
O
 
7
)
21.1.9Stoiberite
Cu
 
5
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
21.1.10Mcbirneyite
Cu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
21.1.11Fingerite
Cu
 
11
(VO
 
4
)
 
6
O
 
2
21.1.12Volborthite
Cu
 
3
(V
 
2
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.1.13Tangeite
CaCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.1.14Vésigniéite
BaCu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
21.1.15Lyonsite
Cu
 
3
Fe
 
4
(VO
 
4
)
 
6

Other Names for Barnesite

Other Languages:
German:Barnesit
Spanish:Barnesita

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 Barnesite

Reference List:

- +
Weeks, A. D., Ross, D. R. and Marvin, R. F. (1963): The occurrence and properties of barnesite, Na2V6O16.3H2O, a new hydrated sodium vanadate mineral from Utah. American Mineralogist 48, 1187-1195.
Evans, H. T., Jr. and Hughes, J. M. (1990): Crystal chemistry of the natural vanadium bronzes. American Mineralogist 75, 508-521, esp. 514-515.
Akinovich, E. A. and Podlipaeva, N. I. (1986): A Ca-variety of barnesite from rocks of a carbonaceous-siliceous vanadium-bearing formation in southern Kazakhstan. Zap. Vses. Mineral. Obshch. 115, 345-351.

Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 43

Internet Links for Barnesite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Barnesite on Google
  • Look for Barnesite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Barnesite on Webmineral
  • Look for Barnesite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Barnesite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Barnesite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Barnesite specimens
  • Buy minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • webminerals
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • Barnesite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Barnesite

    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.
    Kazakhstan
     
    • Southern Kazakhstan Province (Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy; Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
      • Karatau Range
        • Aksumbe
    		Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 43
    Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 43
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Mesa Co.
        • Uravan District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Montrose Co.
        • Uravan District
          • Bull Canyon
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
          • Paradox Valley
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
        • Gibellini District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 43
    • New Mexico
      • Cibola Co.
        • Grants District
    		Northrup, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
      • McKinley Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    • Utah
      • Grand Co.
        • Yellow Cat District (W. part of Thompsons District)
          • Cisco
    		WEEKS, A.D., ROSS, D.R. & MARVIN, R.F. (1963): The occurrence and properties of barnesite, Na2V6O163H2O, a new hydrated sodium vanadate mineral from Utah. American Mineralogist 48, 1187-1195. EVANS, H.T. & HUGHES, J.M. (1990): Crystal chemistry of the natural vanadium bronzes. American Mineralogist 75, 508-521.
      • San Juan Co.
        • La Sal District (Paradox Valley District)
          • La Sal Creek Canyon
    		collection Leon Hupperichs
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    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.
    Current server date and time: 10th Apr 2013 15:33:24
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds