Wölsendorfite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Wölsendorfite
Formula:
Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O
the structure is more complex as the above formula suggests; the new redefinition gives the structural formula of Pb6.07Ca0.68[(UO2)14O18(OH)5]O0.5(H2O)12.6
Pb may be partially substituted for by Ba (up to ~0.5 Ba pfu). Ca seems to be necessary.
Pb may be partially substituted for by Ba (up to ~0.5 Ba pfu). Ca seems to be necessary.
Colour:
Orange-red, bright carmine-red
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
6.8
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, Wölsendorf, Bavaria, Germany.
This page provides mineralogical data about Wölsendorfite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4308
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4308:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
864a43a7-8301-447b-aa35-ec6e6ff542c2
IMA Classification of Wölsendorfite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1957
Classification of Wölsendorfite
4.GB.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
5.4.3.2
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
4 : AX2O7·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
4 : AX2O7·xH2O
7.16.31
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wsd | 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 Wölsendorfite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Orange-red, bright carmine-red
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
good on {001}
good on {001}
Density:
6.8(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 6.815 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Wölsendorfite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 2.050 nγ = 2.090
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
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:
r < v strong
Chemistry of Wölsendorfite
Mindat Formula:
Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O
the structure is more complex as the above formula suggests; the new redefinition gives the structural formula of Pb6.07Ca0.68[(UO2)14O18(OH)5]O0.5(H2O)12.6
Pb may be partially substituted for by Ba (up to ~0.5 Ba pfu). Ca seems to be necessary.
the structure is more complex as the above formula suggests; the new redefinition gives the structural formula of Pb6.07Ca0.68[(UO2)14O18(OH)5]O0.5(H2O)12.6
Pb may be partially substituted for by Ba (up to ~0.5 Ba pfu). Ca seems to be necessary.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Wölsendorfite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.131(1) Å, b = 13.885(1) Å, c = 55.969(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.018 : 1 : 4.031
Unit Cell V:
10982 ų
Z:
8
Comment:
Previously reported unit cell, a = 11.95, b = 13.99, c = 7.02 A, is possibly a subcell (or that of a polytype?); the most recent ones (Plášil 2020): a = 14.1233(8), b = 13.8196(9), c = 55.7953(12), V = 10890.0(10)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 3.44 Å | (90b) |
| 1.907 Å | (60) |
| 6.90 Å | (40) |
| 2.734 Å | (30) |
| 2.010 Å | (30) |
| 1.734 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Shinkolobwe, DR Congo. Data from Deliens (1977).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Wölsendorfite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystalline red masses (Bavaria), orange-red crystalline incrustations on pitchblende (Great Bear Lake), orange-red spherulites with pitchblende (Kersdgalec), and small carmine red nodules with secondary uranium minerals (Katanga). Sometimes light orange.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral in uranium deposits.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Protas, J. (1957) La wölsendorfite, nouvelle espèce uranifère. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sciences: 244: 2942-2944.
Synonyms of Wölsendorfite
Other Language Names for Wölsendorfite
German:Woelsendorfit
Wolsendorfit
Wolsendorfit
Russian:Велсендорфит
Simplified Chinese:红铅铀矿
Spanish:Woelsendorfita
Wolsendorfita
Wolsendorfita
Traditional Chinese:紅鉛鈾礦
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 28 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 13 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 11 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 7 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 5 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 5 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Thorian Uraninite | (U,Th)O2 |
| 3 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Thorogummite | (Th,U)(SiO4)1-x(OH)4x |
| 3 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Studtite | [(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 2 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 2 photos of Wölsendorfite associated with Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.GB.05 | Agrinierite | K2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Compreignacite | K2(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 7H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Rameauite | K2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Protasite | Ba(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.15 | Richetite | (Fe3+,Mg)Pb 8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24 · 41H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Bauranoite | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Calciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb)U2O7 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Metacalciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb,K2)U2O7 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.25 | Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.35 | Masuyite | Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.40 | Metavandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · nH2O n < 12 |
| 4.GB.40 | Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.45 | Vandenbrandeite | Cu(UO2)(OH)4 |
| 4.GB.50 | Sayrite | Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.55 | Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 4.GB.60 | Iriginite | (UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.65 | Uranosphaerite | Bi(UO2)O2(OH) |
| 4.GB.70 | Holfertite | CaxU6+2-xTi(O8-xOH4x) · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.75 | Carlosbarbosaite | (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.80 | Gauthierite | KPb[(UO2)7O5(OH)7] · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.85 | Kroupaite | KPb0.5[(UO2)8O4(OH)10] · 10H2O |
| 4.GB.90 | Leesite | K(H2O)2[(UO2)4O2(OH)5] · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.95 | Shinkolobweite | Pb1.25[U5+(H2O)2(U6+O2)5O8(OH)2](H2O)5 |
| 4.GB.95 | Nollmotzite | Mg[U5+(U6+O2)2O4F3] · 4H2O |
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 Wölsendorfite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4308.html
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References for Wölsendorfite
Reference List:
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
Localities for Wölsendorfite
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.
Australia | |
| Isobe et al. (1992) |
Brazil | |
| Mineralogical Record: 17: 313. +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Protas (1957) +1 other reference |
| G.S.C. Bulletin 330. +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Litochleb | |
| Ondruš et al. (1989) +1 other reference |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| Möhn et al. (12/2021) | |
| Desor (04/2022) |
| |
| Sejkora (1994) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| 304 [287]. +5 other references |
France | |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection +2 other references |
| R. Pierrot |
| Hohl: "Minéraux et Mines du Massif Vosgien" (Mulhouse) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) | |
Gabon | |
| Janusz Janeczek (1999) |
Germany | |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Protas (1957) +2 other references | |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Greenland | |
| Beddoe-Stephens et al. (1982) |
Italy | |
| Ravagnani (1974) |
Norway | |
| Larsen. A.O. & Åsheim (2008) |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin (2019) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Sweden | |
| |
| |
| |
| Löfvendahl (1981) |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (2012) |
UK | |
| Elton et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| King et al. (1994) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Finch et al. (1997) |
| Finch et al. (1997) | |
| American Mineralogist +1 other reference |
| Finch et al. (1997) |
| Arthur Montgomery (1957) +1 other reference |
| Chukanov et al. (2004) |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo