Ranunculite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ranunculite
Formula:
HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O
Colour:
Golden Yellow
Lustre:
Waxy, Dull
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.40
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Michel Deliens and Paul Piret in 1980 from the Latin ranunculus, buttercup, alluding to its gold-yellow color.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Ranunculite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3365
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3365:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7417750a-6262-40ef-a357-96932c778c70
IMA Classification of Ranunculite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Al(UO2)(PO3OH)(OH)3 · 4H2O
First published:
1979
Classification of Ranunculite
8.EB.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
42.2.2.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.11.23
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rnu | 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 Ranunculite
Waxy, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Golden Yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
irregular, parallel to [100] and [001]
irregular, parallel to [100] and [001]
Density:
3.40 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.39 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ranunculite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.643(2) nβ = 1.664(2) nγ = 1.670(2)
2V:
Measured: 56° , Calculated: 56°
Birefringence:
0.027
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.027
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
very strong
Optical Extinction:
Oblique
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
pale yellow to pale greenish yellow
Chemistry of Ranunculite
Mindat Formula:
HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Ranunculite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.10 Å, b = 17.7 Å, c = 18.0 Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.627 : 1 : 1.017
Unit Cell V:
3,536.46 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
14
Morphology:
Rounded nodules less than 1 mm, composed of many tiny plates. The plates are flattened on [010].
Comment:
pseudo-orthorhombic (?). Point Group: n.d; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 Å | (100) |
| 4.70 Å | (50) |
| 4.45 Å | (30) |
| 3.53 Å | (20) |
| 3.133 Å | (80) |
| 2.978 Å | (40) |
| 1.850 Å | (40) |
Comments:
9.00 and 2.978 are broadened.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Ranunculite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Gold-yellow nodules, with mean diameter of 0.3 mm, rarely to 1 mm, and botryoidal crusts.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RGM 6201.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 145686.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 145686.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Late stage mineralization in a granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Deliens, M., Piret, P. (1979) Ranunculite, AlH(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3·4H2O, a new mineral. Mineralogical Magazine: 43: 321-323.
Synonyms of Ranunculite
Other Language Names for Ranunculite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EB. | Meta-autunite Group | A1-2(UO2)2(TO4)2 · 5-10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Hydronováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Saléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Uranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Xiangjiangite | (Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Metarauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Nováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.05 | Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Lehnerite | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metasaléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metauranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metauranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metaheinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metakahlerite | Fe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metakirchheimerite | Co(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metanováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metazeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Przhevalskite | Pb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Pseudo-autunite | (H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.10 | Metanatroautunite | Na(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3 |
| 8.EB.15 | Abernathyite | K(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Chernikovite | (H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Meta-ankoleite | K2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Natrouranospinite | Na2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Trögerite | (H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Uramphite | (NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 8.EB.15 | Uramarsite | (NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.EB.20 | Threadgoldite | Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.EB.20 | Chistyakovaite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2O |
| 8.EB.25 | Arsenuranospathite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2O |
| 8.EB.25 | Uranospathite | (Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F) |
| 8.EB.30 | Vochtenite | (Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2O |
| 8.EB.35 | Coconinoite | Fe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 8.EB.45 | Triangulite | Al3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O |
| 8.EB.50 | Furongite | Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O |
| 8.EB.55 | Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
| 8.EB.60 | Horákite | (Bi7O7OH)[(UO2)4(PO4)2(AsO4)2(OH)2] · 3.5H2O |
Fluorescence of Ranunculite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble in 1:1 HNO3 and fairly soluble in hot 1:1 HCl.
radioactive
radioactive
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 Ranunculite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3365.html
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References for Ranunculite
Localities for Ranunculite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
DR Congo (TL) | |
| The Mineralogical Record: 11: 112. +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
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Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo