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

Piretite

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

Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Brent Thorne




Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Lemon-yellow
Lustre:PearlyHardness:2½
Name:For Dr. Paul Piret (1932- ), Professor of Crystallography, University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
This page provides mineralogical data about Piretite.

Classification of Piretite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.11-28
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.JJ.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-7238.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Piretite

Type Locality:Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)

Physical Properties of Piretite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Lemon-yellow
Streak:Pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½

Crystallography of Piretite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic

Optical Data of Piretite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.540 nβ = 1.730 nγ = 1.750
2V:Measured: 33° , Calculated: 32°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.210

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

Chemical Properties of Piretite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, Se, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, Se, U

Relationship of Piretite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.JJ.05Marthozite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 7H
 
2
O
4.JJ.10Guilleminite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.JJ.20Demesmaekerite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
5
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.JJ.25Haynesite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Piretite

Synonyms:
IMA1996-002
Other Languages:
German:Piretit
Spanish:Piretita

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 Piretite

Reference List:

- +
Mineralogical Record: 28: 404.

Canadian Mineralogist (1996): 34: 1317-1322.

Internet Links for Piretite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Piretite on Google
  • Look for Piretite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Piretite on Webmineral
  • Look for Piretite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Piretite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Piretite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Piretite specimens
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • webminerals
  • Find Piretite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Piretite

    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.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Shinkolobwe
    		Can Min (1996), 34 (6), p. 1317
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. 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: 22nd Jun 2011 19:02:13
    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