Paraschoepite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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Formula:
UO3 · 2H2O
Colour:
Yellow, greenish-yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
4.60 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by Schoep, A. & Stradiot, S. (1947) based on its similarity to schoepite, named after mineralogist A. Schoep.
Finch et al. (1997) state "Powder data labeled "paraschoepite" in the Powder Diffraction File do not correspond to the mineral of that name."
Christ and Clark (1960) report a large interplanar distance (c = 15.22 Å) for single crystals of paraschoepite, and state "Because of the distinctive X-ray pattern given by the yellow crystals and the excellent agreement of the optical measurements obtained in the present study with those originally given by Schoep and Stradiot in 1947, there can be little doubt as to the validity of paraschoepite." Subsequent descriptions, however, have considered paraschoepite to be a mixture of metaschoepite, dehydrated schoepite (paulkerrite?), and ianthinite (Brugger et al. 2011; Finch et al. , 1997; with similar large interplanar spacing (a = 14.87 Å) and arrangements found in leesite (Brugger et al. 2011).
Based on recent results of crystal structure studies on schoepite and related minerals, there is no further evidence for paraschoepite to exist (Plášil in prep.).
Christ and Clark (1960) report a large interplanar distance (c = 15.22 Å) for single crystals of paraschoepite, and state "Because of the distinctive X-ray pattern given by the yellow crystals and the excellent agreement of the optical measurements obtained in the present study with those originally given by Schoep and Stradiot in 1947, there can be little doubt as to the validity of paraschoepite." Subsequent descriptions, however, have considered paraschoepite to be a mixture of metaschoepite, dehydrated schoepite (paulkerrite?), and ianthinite (Brugger et al. 2011; Finch et al. , 1997; with similar large interplanar spacing (a = 14.87 Å) and arrangements found in leesite (Brugger et al. 2011).
Based on recent results of crystal structure studies on schoepite and related minerals, there is no further evidence for paraschoepite to exist (Plášil in prep.).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3110
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3110:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1ee2790a-bd85-4d48-9626-a25a816018b5
Classification of Paraschoepite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
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
5.2.1.2
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
2 : AXO3·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
2 : AXO3·xH2O
7.16.3
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 |
---|---|---|
Pshp | 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 Paraschoepite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, greenish-yellow
Streak:
yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Very brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}; good on {010}
Perfect on {001}; good on {010}
Density:
4.60(13) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Paraschoepite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.700 - 1.705 nβ = 1.750 - 1.760 nγ = 1.770
2V:
Measured: 40° , Calculated: 62°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
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:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless to pale yellow; Y = Z = yellow to golden yellow
Chemical Properties of Paraschoepite
Formula:
UO3 · 2H2O
IMA Formula:
UO3 · (2-x)H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Paraschoepite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.12(4) Å, b = 16.83(5) Å, c = 15.22(5) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.839 : 1 : 0.904
Unit Cell V:
3,616.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
32
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.09 Å | (100) |
3.45 Å | (25) |
3.39 Å | (17) |
2.89 Å | (7) |
2.48 Å | (7b) |
2.542 Å | (6) |
1.774 Å | (6) |
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 Paraschoepite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 94712.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
alteration product of schoepite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schoep, A. & Stradiot, S. (1947): Paraschoepite and epiianthinite, two new uranium minerals from Shinkolobwe (Belgian Congo). American Mineralogist 32, 344-350.
Other Language Names for Paraschoepite
German:Paraschoepit
Spanish:Paraschoepita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
4.GA.05 | Metaschoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 10H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
4.GA.05 | Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
4.GA.10 | Ianthinite | U4+(UO2)5O7 · 10H2O | Orth. mm2 : Amm2 |
4.GA.15 | Metastudtite | UO4 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
4.GA.15 | Studtite | [(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2] · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
4.GA.20 | Paulscherrerite | UO2(OH)2 | Mon. |
4.GA.25 | Heisenbergite | UO2(OH) · 2H2O (simplified UO3 · 2H2 O) | Orth. |
Other Information
Notes:
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.
References for Paraschoepite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Schoep, A. & Stradiot, S. (1947): Paraschoepite and epiianthinite, two new uranium minerals from Shinkolobwe (Belgian Congo). American Mineralogist 32, 344-350.
Schoep, A. & Stradiot, S. (1948): Crystals of paraschoepite. American Mineralogist 33, 513-514.
American Mineralogist (1960): 45: 1026-1061.
Belova, L. N. & Boyarskaya, R. V. (1979): Two crystalline phases of schoepite or schoepite and paraschoepite? Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Geol. (7), 140-142 (in Russian).
Finch, R. J., Hawthorne, F. 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, 230-238.
Brugger, J., Meisser, N., Etschmann, B., Ansermet, S., Pring, A. (2011): Paulscherrerite from the Number 2 Workings, Mount Painter Inlier, Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia: "dehydrated schoepite" is a mineral after all. American Mineralogist 96, 229-240.
Internet Links for Paraschoepite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3110.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Paraschoepite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)] |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| [Am Min 45 (1960), 1026; Nickel & Nichols, 1991, p160 - "Mineral Reference Manual"] |
Germany | |
| KOLITSCH, U. (1997): Ianthinit und weitere Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald. - Erzgräber 11 (2), 76-88. |
USA | |
| Dana 8:258 |
| Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed. |
McLemore, Virginia T., Zimmerer, Matthew, (2009) Magmatic activity and mineralization along the Capitan, Santa Rita, and Morenci lineaments in the Chupadera Mesa area, central New Mexico. New Mexico Geological Society Fall Field Conference Guidebook – 60 Geology of the Chupadera Mesa pp. 375-386 | |
| Foord,Eugene E.,Korzeb,Stanley L.,Litchte,Frederick E and Fitzpatrick,John J. (1997) Additional studies On Mixed Uranyl Oxide-Hydroxide Hydrate Alteration Products Of Uraninite From The Palermo And Ruggles Granitic Pegmatites,Grafton County,New Hampshire, The Canadian Mineralogist Vol.35 pp.145-151 (1997) pg.146,147,151. |
Uzbekistan | |
| Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow; Frost, R. L., Cejka, J., & Dickfos, M. J. (2009). Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl minerals vanmeersscheite U (OH) 4 [(UO2) 3 (PO4) 2 (OH) 2]. 4H2O and arsenouranylite Ca (UO2)[(UO2) 3 (AsO4) 2 (OH) 2].(OH) 2.6 H2O. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 71(5), 1799-1803. |