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Brannerite

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Iragna, Lodrino, Riviera, Ticino (Tessin), Switzerland
© D.Respino

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Formula:
(U
4+
 
,REE,Th,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
System:MonoclinicColour:Black, brownish ...
Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous, DullHardness:4½ - 5½
Name:
For Dr. John Casper Branner (1850-1922), American geologist, formerly Professor of Geology and President of Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Dimorph of:Orthobrannerite


Brannerite-Thorutite Series. Dimorphous with Orthobrannerite (?).

Classification of Brannerite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/D.22-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.DH.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
Dana 8th edition ID:8.3.4.1

8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.16.23

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
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Type Occurrence of Brannerite

Type Locality:Kelley Gulch, Stanley, Stanley Basin District, Custer Co., Idaho, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:Detrital crystals and grains.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (Nos. 105793, 114997)
Year of Discovery:1920
Geological Setting of type material:Detrital material in a gold-bearing placer.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ZirconXenotime-(Y)UraniniteRutileGold
Apatite

Occurrences of Brannerite

Geological Setting:In granite pegmatites and in granitic gneisses; in silicified pebble conglomerates; in hydrothermal quartz and calcite veins; detrital in placers

Physical Properties of Brannerite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, brownish olive-green, yellow-brown to yellow with alteration; yellowish green in transmitted light
Streak:Dark greenish brown to yellowish brown
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5½
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):4.2 - 5.43 g/cm3
Density (calculated):5.2 g/cm3

Crystallography of Brannerite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/m {B1 1 2/m} {C2/m} {C1 2/m 1}
Space Group Setting:C2/m
Cell Parameters:a = 9.8123Å, b = 3.7697Å, c = 6.9253Å
β = 118.957°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.603 : 1 : 1.837
Unit Cell Volume:V 224.14 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Indistinct prismatic crystals, to 30 cm, some showing an orthogonal prism zone; more typically as rounded, detrital grains and pebbles and as irregular embedded grains and masses.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.41 (10)
1.903 (8)
4.73 (6)
3.32 (6)
2.462 (6)
2.276 (6)
1.864 (6)
Comments:Recorded on material from Custer Co., Idaho, USA, after recrystallisation in air at 1000 °C

Optical Data of Brannerite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 2.23 - 2.3
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Very High
Reflectivity:
400 nmR=13.9%
420 nmR=13.5%
440 nmR=13.1%
460 nmR=12.8%
480 nmR=12.7%
500 nmR=12.5%
520 nmR=12.3%
540 nmR=12.2%
560 nmR=12.1%
580 nmR=12.0%
600 nmR=11.9%
620 nmR=11.8%
640 nmR=11.7%
660 nmR=11.7%
680 nmR=11.6%
700 nmR=11.5%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 13.9%.

Chemical Properties of Brannerite

Formula:
(U
4+
 
,REE,Th,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
Idealised Formula:
UTi
 
2
O
 
6
Essential elements:O, Ti, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Fe, H, Nb, O, Th, Ti, U
Analytical Data:(1) Chemical analysis of material from Custer Co., Idaho, USA
(2) Theoretical values for UTi2O6
             (1)      (2)

UO3        (33.5)
SiO2        (0.6)
TiO2       (39.0)   (37.17)
ZrO2        (0.2)
ThO2        (4.1)
UO2        (10.3)   (62.83)
(Y,Er)2O3   (3.9)
FeO         (2.9)
PbO         (0.2)
CaO         (2.9)
BaO         (0.3)
SrO         (0.1)
H2O         (2.0)
CO2         (0.2)

sum        100.2    100.0 wt.-%
Common Impurities:Ba,Fe,Pb,REE,Si,Sr,Th,Zr

Relationship of Brannerite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Thorutite (see here)
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.DH.05Orthobrannerite
U
4+
 
U
6+
 
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.05Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.10Kassite
CaTi
 
2
O
 
4
(OH)
 
2
4.DH.10Lucasite-(Ce)
CeTi
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
4.DH.15Bariomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Bariopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Betafite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Bismutomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Calciobetafite (of Mazzi & Munno)
4.DH.15Ceriopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Cesstibtantite
4.DH.15Jixianite
Pb(W,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.15Hydropyrochlore
(H
 
2
O,□)
 
2
Nb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
(H
 
2
O)
4.DH.15Natrobistantite
4.DH.15Plumbopyrochlore (of Skorobogatova et al)
4.DH.15Plumbomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Plumbobetafite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Stibiomicrolite (of Groat et al.)
4.DH.15Strontiopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Stannomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Stibiobetafite (of Černý et al)
4.DH.15Uranpyrochlore
(U,Ca,Ce)
 
2
(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
6
(OH,F)
4.DH.15Yttrobetafite (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Yttropyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)
4.DH.15Fluornatromicrolite
(Na,Ca,Bi)
 
2
Ta
 
2
O
 
6
F
4.DH.15Bismutopyrochlore (of Chukanov et al)
4.DH.15Hydrokenoelsmoreite
◻
 
2
W
 
2
O
 
6
(H
 
2
O)
4.DH.20Bismutostibiconite
Bi(Sb
5+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.20Oxyplumboroméite
Pb
 
2
Sb
 
2
O
 
6
O
4.DH.20Monimolite
4.DH.20Cuproroméite
Cu
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Stetefeldtite
Ag
 
2
Sb
 
2
(O,OH)
 
7
4.DH.20Stibiconite
4.DH.25Rosiaite
PbSb
5+
2
O
 
6
4.DH.30Zirconolite
CaZrTi
 
2
O
 
7
4.DH.35Liandratite
U(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.35Petscheckite
UFe(Nb,Ta)
 
2
O
 
8
4.DH.40Ingersonite
Ca
 
3
MnSb
 
4
O
 
14
4.DH.45Pittongite
Na
 
0.22
(W,Fe
3+
 
)(O,OH)
 
3
 · 0.44H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.16.1Uraninite
UO
 
2
7.16.2Schoepite
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.16.3Paraschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.4Metaschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.5Metastudtite
UO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.6Studtite
[(UO
 
2
)(O
 
2
)(H
 
2
O)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
7.16.7Ianthinite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
7
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.16.8Compreignacite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.16.9Vandenbrandeite
Cu(UO
 
2
)(OH)
 
4
7.16.10Roubaultite
Cu
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
10
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.11Becquerelite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.16.12Rameauite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(OH)
 
16
 · H
 
2
O
7.16.13Agrinierite
K
 
2
(Ca,Sr)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.14Protasite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.15Billietite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
7.16.16Bauranoite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.17Metacalciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb,K
 
2
)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.18Calciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.19Orthobrannerite
U
4+
 
U
6+
 
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
7.16.20Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
7.16.21Davidite-(La)
(La,Ce)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.22Davidite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.24Fourmarierite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.25Richetite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
5
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.26Curite
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
8
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.27Masuyite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.28Vandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.16.29Metavandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · nH
 
2
O n < 12
7.16.30Sayrite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.31Wölsendorfite
(Pb,Ca)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.32Clarkeite
(Na,Ca,Pb)(UO
 
2
)O(OH) · 0-1H
 
2
O
7.16.33Uranosphaerite
Bi(UO
 
2
)O
 
2
(OH)

Other Names for Brannerite

Synonyms:
CordobaiteLodochnikiteLodochnikovite (of Gerasimovsky)
Other Languages:
German:Brannerit
Cordobait
Lodochnikit
Lodochnikowit
Lodotschnikit
Russian:Браннерит
Simplified Chinese:钛铀矿
Spanish:Brannerita
Cordobaita
Lodochnikita
Varieties:
Absite

Other Information

Health Warning:Radioactive

References for Brannerite

Reference List:

- +
Hess and Wells (1920), Journal of the Franklin Institute 189, 225, 779.

Palache, C., Berman, H. and Frondel, C. (1944): The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (New York), 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 774-775.

Hewett, D. F., Stone, J. and Levine, H. (1957): Brannerite from San Bernardino County, California. American Mineralogist 42, 30-38.

Frondel, C. (1958): Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. U.S. Geol. Sur. Bull. 1064, 333-337.

Kaiman, S. (1959): Synthesis of brannerite. Can. Mineral. 6, 389-390.

Szymanski, J. T. and Scott, J. D. (1982): A crystal structure refinement of synthetic brannerite, UTi2O6, and its bearing on rate of alkaline-carbonate leaching of brannerite in ore. Canadian Mineralogist 20, 271-279.

Ferris, C. S. and Ruud, C. O. (1971): Brannerite: Occurrence and recognition by microscope. Colorado School of Mines Quarterly 66, 1-35.

Anthony, J. W. et al. (1997): Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3, 76.

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