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Billietite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About BillietiteHide

05328940017056888837170.jpg
Valère Louis Billiet (1903-1945)
Formula:
Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O
Colour:
Yellow to golden-yellow, amber-yellow, orange-yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Specific Gravity:
5.28 - 5.36
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1947 by Johannes F. Vaes in honor of Valère Louis Billiet, born Ghent, Belgium, February 14 1903; was in the resistance during WWII but was arrested; killed on May 3 1945 by an SS officer on board of the SS Ancona in the Bay of Neustedt, near Lubeck. Belgian crystallographer, University of Ghent, Belgium.
This page provides mineralogical data about Billietite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
674
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:674:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
4eee2516-3b5a-4172-8c22-1043279adc97

IMA Classification of BillietiteHide

Classification of BillietiteHide

4.GB.10

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
5.7.1.3

5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
7 : AX6O19·xH2O
7.16.15

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
BilIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BillietiteHide

Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow to golden-yellow, amber-yellow, orange-yellow
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}, imperfect on {110} and {010}
Density:
5.28 - 5.36 g/cm3 (Measured)    5.3 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of BillietiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.725 - 1.730 nβ = 1.780 - 1.822 nγ = 1.790 - 1.829
2V:
Measured: 36°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.065 - 0.099
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v, very strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colourless to pale yellow; Y = Z = greenish yellow to deep golden yellow, amber-brown
Orientation: X = c, Y = a, Z = b

Chemistry of BillietiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O
Common Impurities:
Ca,Si

Crystallography of BillietiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.072 Å, b = 30.167 Å, c = 7.1455 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.4 : 1 : 0.237
Unit Cell V:
2,602.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals pseudohexagonal, tabular on {001}, may be elongated along [110], to 5 mm
Twinning:
Very common, on {110} and {111}, the latter producing sector-twinned aragonite-like groups
Comment:
Space Group: Pbn21

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0001133BillietitePagoaga M K, Appleman D E, Stewart J M (1987) Crystal structures and crystal chemistry of the uranyl oxide hydrates becquerelite, billietite, and protasite match those published American Mineralogist 72 1230-12381987Shinkolobwe mine, Shaba, Zaire0293
0006120BillietiteFinch R J, Burns P C, Hawthorne F C, Ewing R C (2006) Refinement of the crystal structure of billietite, Ba [(UO2)6 O4 (OH)6] (H2O)8 The Canadian Mineralogist 44 1197-12052006Shaba, Democratic Republic of Congo0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
7.53 Å(10)
3.77 Å(9)
3.17 Å(8)
2.03 Å(6)
3.54 Å(5)
2.49 Å(4)
2.56 Å(3)
Comments:
Recorded on material from Shinkolobwe, Congo

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals]
Geological Setting:
An uncommon alteration product of uraninite

Type Occurrence of BillietiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals pseudohexagonal
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (No. 104455);
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA (No. 160496)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
An alteration product of uraninite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Vaes, J.F. (1947) Six nouveaux minéraux d'urane provenant de Shinkolobwe (Katanga). Annales de la Société Géologique Belge: 70: B212-B229, esp. B214-B217 (in French).

Other Language Names for BillietiteHide

German:Billietit
Simplified Chinese:黄钡铀矿
Spanish:Billietita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
21 photos of Billietite associated with UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
14 photos of Billietite associated with Rutherfordine(UO2)CO3
9 photos of Billietite associated with CuprosklodowskiteCu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
6 photos of Billietite associated with VandenbrandeiteCu(UO2)(OH)4
6 photos of Billietite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
6 photos of Billietite associated with BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O
4 photos of Billietite associated with RoubaultiteCu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2 · 4H2O
4 photos of Billietite associated with SklodowskiteMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
4 photos of Billietite associated with UraniniteUO2
3 photos of Billietite associated with Soddyite(UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.GB.05AgrinieriteK2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2OMon. m : Bm
4.GB.05CompreignaciteK2(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 7H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
4.GB.05RameauiteK2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. m : Bb
4.GB.10BecquereliteCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2OOrth. mm2 : Pna21
4.GB.10ProtasiteBa(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2OMon. m
4.GB.15Richetite(Fe3+,Mg)Pb 8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24 · 41H2O Tric. 1 : P1
4.GB.20BauranoiteBa(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O
4.GB.20Calciouranoite(Ca,Ba,Pb)U2O7 · 5H2O
4.GB.20Metacalciouranoite(Ca,Ba,Pb,K2)U2O7 · 2H2O
4.GB.25FourmarieritePb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2OOrth. mm2
4.GB.30WölsendorfitePb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
4.GB.35MasuyitePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
4.GB.40MetavandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · nH2O n < 12Orth.
4.GB.40VandendriesscheitePbU7O22 · 12H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
4.GB.45VandenbrandeiteCu(UO2)(OH)4Tric. 1 : P1
4.GB.50SayritePb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m
4.GB.55CuritePb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
4.GB.60Iriginite(UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
4.GB.65UranosphaeriteBi(UO2)O2(OH)Mon. 2/m
4.GB.70HolfertiteCaxU6+2-xTi(O8-xOH4x) · 3H2OTrig. 3 : P3
4.GB.75Carlosbarbosaite(UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
4.GB.80GauthieriteKPb[(UO2)7O5(OH)7] · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
4.GB.85KroupaiteKPb0.5[(UO2)8O4(OH)10] · 10H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
4.GB.90LeesiteK(H2O)2[(UO2)4O2(OH)5] · 3H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
4.GB.95ShinkolobweitePb1.25[U5+(H2O)2(U6+O2)5O8(OH)2](H2O)5Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnnm
4.GB.95NollmotziteMg[U5+(U6+O2)2O4F3] · 4H2OMon. m : Bm

Other InformationHide

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 BillietiteHide

References for BillietiteHide

Reference List:

Localities for BillietiteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • South Australia
    • Flinders Ranges
      • North Flinders Ranges
        • Arkaroola Region (Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary; Arkaroola Station)
          • Mt Painter area
Brugger et al. (2003) +1 other reference
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
Pires et al. (2014)
China
 
  • Liaoning
    • Benxi
      • Nanfen District
Dahlkamp (2009)
Czech Republic
 
  • Hradec Králové Region
    • Trutnov District
      • Špindlerův Mlýn
        • Labská
Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Karlovy Vary District
Collected by Jan Hloušek +2 other references
  • Ústí nad Labem Region
    • Teplice District
      • Moldava
Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
  • Vysočina Region
    • Žďár nad Sázavou District
      • Nové Město na Moravě
Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
DR Congo (TL)
 
  • Haut-Katanga
    • Kambove Territory
      • Shinkolobwe
304 [278]. +4 other references
Deliens
    • Kipushi Territory
      • Kawama
Deliens +1 other reference
  • Lualaba
    • Mutshatsha
      • Kamoto
Specimen in the collection of Brent ... +1 other reference
      • Kolwezi
Anthony (1997) +1 other reference
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Haute-Savoie
      • Bonneville
        • Vallorcine
Meisser (2012)
    • Loire
      • Roanne
        • Saint-Priest-la-Prugne
          • Les Bois-Noirs Mining Claim
Denis Vernet - personnal
  • Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
    • Nièvre
      • Château-Chinon
        • Dommartin
OLLIC Pascal Collection +1 other reference
  • Brittany
    • Côtes-d'Armor
      • Saint-Brieuc
        • Le Mené
- (1998)
- (1998) +1 other reference
  • Grand Est
    • Haut-Rhin
      • Thann-Guebwiller
        • Kruth
- (1998)
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Haute-Vienne
      • Bellac
        • Compreignac
P Haas collection
      • Limoges
        • Saint-Sylvestre
Anthony (1997)
  • Occitanie
    • Hérault
      • Lodève
        • Le Bosc
"minéraux uranifères +2 other references
        • Le Puech
Bariand et al. (1993) +2 other references
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Oberwolfach
Kolitsch (1997) +1 other reference
      • Rottweil
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Böckelsbach valley
            • Burgfelsen
            • Heubach Valley
      • Waldshut
        • St Blasien
          • Menzenschwand
Walenta (1992)
  • Bavaria
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Schwandorf District
        • Schwarzach bei Nabburg
          • Wölsendorf
Collection Elmar Lackner.
Anthony (1997) +1 other reference
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Bad Kreuznach
      • Rüdesheim
        • Niederhausen
N. Jb. Miner. Abh. 115 (1971)
  • Saxony
    • Vogtlandkreis
      • Bergen
Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) +1 other reference
Italy
 
  • Sardinia
    • Metropolitan City of Cagliari
      • Capoterra
Ciriotti et al. (2010)
  • Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol)
    • Trento Province (Trentino)
      • Bocenago
        • Monte Toff
Campostrini I. (2013)
      • Borgo Chiese
        • Condino
Campostrini et al. (2006)
Peru
 
  • Puno
    • Carabaya Province
Li (2016)
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Lleida
      • El Pallars Jussà
        • La Vall Fosca
          • La Torre de Cabdella
            • Castell-estaó
Abella et al. (2009)
Sweden
 
  • Västra Götaland County
    • Bengtsfors
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Saint-Maurice
      • Salvan
        • Les Marécottes
          • La Creusaz
            • SE crest of Mt. Luisin
Stalder et al. (1998)
Meisser (2012)
    • Sierre
      • Anniviers
        • Saint-Luc
Wulser P.A. et al. 2005
USA
 
  • Pennsylvania
    • Carbon County
      • Mahoning Township
Geyer et al. (1976)
      • Nesquehoning
Anthony (1997)
  • Utah
    • Emery County
      • San Rafael Swell Mining District
Min News 16:1 p1
 
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