Schoepite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Schoepite
Alfred Schoep
Formula:
(UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O
Colour:
Amber-yellow, lemon-yellow, or sulphur-yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
4.8
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Thomas Leonard Walker in 1923 in honour of Alfred Schoep (born in Ghent on 6 June 1881, died in Ghent, 1 June 1966) Professor of Mineralogy, University of Ghent, Belgium.
May originate as a dehydration product of ianthinite, and may itself dehydrate to metaschoepite and, subsequently, to paulscherrerite.
Most stable uranyl-bearing phase at moderate H2O2 activity. At high concentrations of H2O2, the stability path is as follows: studtite, schoepite, metaschoepite, becquerelite.
Most stable uranyl-bearing phase at moderate H2O2 activity. At high concentrations of H2O2, the stability path is as follows: studtite, schoepite, metaschoepite, becquerelite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3574
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3574:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ebff5d1d-9131-4266-adcb-db5c9db5b8c9
IMA Classification of Schoepite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(UO2)4O(OH)6(H2O)6
Classification of Schoepite
4.GA.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
A : Without additional cations
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
A : Without additional cations
5.2.1.3
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
2 : AXO3·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
2 : AXO3·xH2O
7.16.2
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sho | 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 Schoepite
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Amber-yellow, lemon-yellow, or sulphur-yellow
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect; {010} poor
{001} perfect; {010} poor
Density:
4.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.918 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Schoepite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.690 - 1.700 nβ = 1.714 - 1.720 nγ = 1.735
2V:
Measured: 89°
Birefringence:
0.04
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.045
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:
High
Dispersion:
weak to moderate
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = c = Colourless
Y = b = Lemon-yellow
Z = a = Lemon-yellow
Y = b = Lemon-yellow
Z = a = Lemon-yellow
Chemistry of Schoepite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Schoepite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.7810(5) Å, b = 14.7044(4) Å, c = 14.2985(5) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.141 : 1 : 0.972
Unit Cell V:
3528.22 ų
Z:
8
Morphology:
Usually tabular {001}; also equant or short prismatic [001].
Comment:
The space-group Pbca confirmed by the new structure determination and refinement; the formula is [(UO2)4O(OH)6](H2O)6 for Z = 8 (Plášil 2018)
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005517 | Schoepite | Finch R J, Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Ewing R C (1996) The crystal structure of schoepite, [(UO2)8O2(OH)12](H2O)12 The Canadian Mineralogist 34 1071-1088 |  | 1996 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.28 Å | (100) |
| 5.08 Å | (70) |
| 3.66 Å | (10) |
| 3.51 Å | (10) |
| 3.44 Å | (20) |
| 3.22 Å | (10) |
| 2.89 Å | (10) |
| 2.54 Å | (19) |
Comments:
ICDD 13-407
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 27 : Radioactive decay; auto-oxidation | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Schoepite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidized zone of a copper-uranium deposit
Synonyms of Schoepite
Other Language Names for Schoepite
Relationship of Schoepite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Metaschoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 10H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| Paulscherrerite | UO2(OH)2 | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 51 photos of Schoepite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 33 photos of Schoepite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 30 photos of Schoepite associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 28 photos of Schoepite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 28 photos of Schoepite associated with Ianthinite | U4+(UO2)5O7 · 10H2O |
| 16 photos of Schoepite associated with Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 14 photos of Schoepite associated with Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| 12 photos of Schoepite associated with Vandenbrandeite | Cu(UO2)(OH)4 |
| 11 photos of Schoepite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 10 photos of Schoepite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.GA.05 | Metaschoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 10H2O |
| 4.GA.05 | Paraschoepite | UO3 · 2H2O |
| 4.GA.10 | Ianthinite | U4+(UO2)5O7 · 10H2O |
| 4.GA.15 | Metastudtite | UO4 · 2H2O |
| 4.GA.15 | Studtite | [(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 4.GA.20 | Paulscherrerite | UO2(OH)2 |
| 4.GA.25 | Heisenbergite | UO2(OH) · 2H2O (simplified UO3 · 2H2 O) |
Fluorescence of Schoepite
Pale green SW and LW
Other Information
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 Schoepite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3574.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Schoepite
Reference List:
Schoep, Alfred, Stradiot, Sadi (1947) Paraschoepite and epiianthinite, two new uranium minerals from Shinkolobwe (Belgian Congo) American Mineralogist, 32 (5-6) 344-350 [as epiianthinite]
Christ, C. L., Clark, J. R. (1960) Crystal chemical studies of some uranyl oxide hydrates. American Mineralogist, 45 (9-10) 1026-1061
Vochten, R., Van Haverbeke, L. (1990) Transformation of schoepite into the uranyl oxide hydrates: Becquerelite, billietite and wölsendorfite. Mineralogy and Petrology, 43 (1) 65-72 doi:10.1007/bf01164222
Finch, Robert J., Cooper, Mark A., Hawthorne, Frank C., Ewing, Rodney C. (1996) The crystal structure of schoepite, [(UO2)8O2(OH)12](H2O)12. The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (5) 1071-1088
Finch, Robert J., Hawthorne, Frank C., Miller, M. L., Ewing, R. C. (1997) Distinguishing among schoepite, [(UO2)8O2(OH)12](H2O)12, and related minerals by X-ray powder diffraction. Powder Diffraction, 12 (4) 230-238 doi:10.1017/s0885715600009799
Localities for Schoepite
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.
Argentina | |
| Mr. Nelson Valenzuela. |
Australia | |
| D.A.Berkman (1968) |
| Brugger et al. (2003) |
| Bottrill et al. (2008) |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
Canada | |
| Cowan (1962) |
| Chatterjee (1977) |
| Reiner Mielke and Travis Olds |
China | |
| Long Lu et al. (2006) |
Czech Republic | |
| Plášil |
| - (Pavel Škácha coll.) | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Plášil et al. (2014) |
| |
| Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Christ (1965) +2 other references |
| |
| Deliens (1996) +1 other reference |
| Rob Lavinsky specimen |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
| Hussein et al. (1988) | |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| J.-J. Périchaud: "Où trouver les minéraux d'Auvergne" et al. (Clermont-Ferrand) | |
| - (1998) |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) | |
| - (1998) |
| Bariand et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| [Le Cahier des Micromonteurs |
| - (1998) | |
Gabon | |
| Janusz Janeczek (1999) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| Dill et al. (2010) | |
| Aufschluss 69/ (7+8) +1 other reference |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
| Szakáll et al. (1996) |
Italy | |
| Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... |
| De Michele V. (1979) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| luigi chiapino |
| Ravagnani (1974) |
| Campostrini et al. (2006) |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Japan | |
| Akira Kato (1973) |
Mexico | |
| Murphy (2006) |
| www.swri.org (2001) | |
Namibia | |
| Bowell et al. (2017) |
New Zealand | |
| Christie et al. (2000) |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Neumann (1985) | |
Pakistan | |
| Alia et al. (2018) |
Poland | |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus specimens |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tajikistan | |
| Pekov (1998) |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Knight (1978) +2 other references | |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Burakov et al. () +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Frondel (1956) +2 other references |
| Bollin et al. (1958) |
| Austin (1964) +1 other reference | |
| Granger (1962) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Am Min 50:909-923 +2 other references |
| Travis Olds collection |
| King et al. (1994) |
| King (ed) |
| King (ed.) | |
| Fred Davis discovery specimen and ... |
| Falster et al. (2019) |
| King et al. (1994) |
| King et al. (6) | |
| King et al. (6) | |
| King (2000) +1 other reference |
| |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Frondel (1956) |
| Whitmore et al. (2004) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... | |
| Foord et al. (1997) |
| Curt segeler |
| Smith (1991) |
| MINERALS OF THE KARNES URANIUM ... | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Page et al. (1956) +3 other references | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| USGS TEI #514 +4 other references | |
| Min News 16:1 p1 | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Sumaila (2017) |
| Am Min 51:1567-1578 |
Uzbekistan | |
| Frost et al. (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout SchoepiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Krunkelbach Valley Uranium deposit, Menzenschwand, St Blasien, Waldshut, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany