Thorianite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Thorianite
Formula:
ThO2
Colour:
Black, brownish black, dark gray, dark reddish brown
Lustre:
Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
6½ - 7
Specific Gravity:
9.7 - 9.8
Crystal System:
Isometric
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its thorium content.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3944
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3944:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b26e758a-a55e-44ab-ae6f-2116c06d7bf9
IMA Classification of Thorianite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Type description reference:
Classification of Thorianite
4.DL.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
L : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; fluorite-type structures
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
L : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; fluorite-type structures
5.1.1.2
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
1 : AXO2·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
1 : AXO2·xH2O
7.10.10
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
10 : Oxides of Zr and Th
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
10 : Oxides of Zr and Th
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Tho | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Tho | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Thorianite
Resinous, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black, brownish black, dark gray, dark reddish brown
Comment:
may have a bronzy tarnish
Streak:
Grey, grey-green to black
Hardness:
6½ - 7 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=1132 - 1278 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{001} poor.
{001} poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
9.7 - 9.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 9.991 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Thorianite
Anisotropism:
may show weak anomalous anisotropism
Colour in reflected light:
gray
Internal Reflections:
red-brown
Chemistry of Thorianite
Mindat Formula:
ThO2
Elements listed:
CAS Registry number:
Common Impurities:
U,Ce,La,Pb,TR
Crystallography of Thorianite
Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:
Fm3m
Setting:
Fm3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.595 Å
Unit Cell V:
175.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Cubic crystals, usually rounded to some degree (water worn).
Twinning:
Penetration twins on {111} very common.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0011725 | Thorianite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Fluorite structure Crystal Structures 1 239-444 | 1963 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.234 Å | (100) |
1.689 Å | (64) |
1.980 Å | (58) |
2.800 Å | (35) |
1.284 Å | (26) |
1.1432 Å | (20) |
1.0779 Å | (19) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Thorianite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
accessory mineral in granite pegmatites
Reference:
Dunstan W (1904) The occurrence of thorium in Ceylon. Nature 69, 510-511
Synonyms of Thorianite
Other Language Names for Thorianite
Varieties of Thorianite
Aldanite | A Pb-bearing variety of Thorianite with up to 12 wt.% PbO. Originally reported from Aldan Shield, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia. |
Cerian Thorianite | A thorianite containing cerium. |
Uranothorianite | A name for a mineral intermediate between uraninite and thorianite, i.e. a member of the Thorianite-Uraninite Series. |
Relationship of Thorianite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Cerianite-(Ce) | (Ce4+,Th)O2 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Uraninite | UO2 | Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fm3m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
14 photos of Thorianite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
5 photos of Thorianite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
5 photos of Thorianite associated with Phlogopite | KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
5 photos of Thorianite associated with Guarinite | (Na, Ca, Zr, Si, F, O) |
5 photos of Thorianite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
3 photos of Thorianite associated with Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
2 photos of Thorianite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
2 photos of Thorianite associated with Pyroxene Group | ADSi2O6 |
2 photos of Thorianite associated with Baddeleyite | ZrO2 |
2 photos of Thorianite associated with Hiortdahlite | Na2Ca4(Ca0.5Zr0.5)Zr(Si2O7)2OF3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
4.DL.05 | Cerianite-(Ce) | (Ce4+,Th)O2 |
4.DL.05 | Uraninite | UO2 |
4.DL.05 | Zirkelite | (Ti,Ca,Zr)O2-x |
4.DL.05 | Aeschynite Group | AD2O6 |
4.DL.10 | Calzirtite | Ca2Zr5Ti2O16 |
4.DL.10 | Tazheranite | (Zr,Ti,Ca)(O,◻)2 |
4.DL.10 | Hiärneite | Ca2Zr4Mn3+SbTiO16 |
4.DL.15 | Vorlanite | Ca(U6+)O4 |
Other Information
Magnetism:
Diamagnetic
Notes:
radioactive
Health Risks:
Contains thorium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Internet Links for Thorianite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3944.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Thorianite
Reference List:
Localities for Thorianite
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.
Angola | |
| Amores-Casals et al. (2019) |
Argentina | |
| Colombo et al. (2011) |
| Bardelli et al. (2018) |
Australia | |
| Drake-Brockman (1995) |
| Louise Schoneveld (2014) +2 other references |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Ehrig et al. (2012) |
| Bottrill +1 other reference |
| |
| Sun et al. (1986, September) +2 other references |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch (2017) |
| Kolitsch (2011) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Jedwab (1985) +2 other references |
Bolivia | |
| Torres et al. (2019) |
Botswana | |
| Melgarejo et al. (2011) |
Brazil | |
| Portella +3 other references |
| Baretto & Fujimori (1986) |
| Monteiro et al. (2008) |
Monteiro et al. (2008) | |
| Grainger et al. (2008) |
Canada | |
| R. M. Thompson (1954) |
| Berger et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| www.gia.edu (2006) |
| 162-165. +1 other reference |
| SAGE (1981) |
| Mounce et al. (2020) |
| Geological survey of canada misc report ... +1 other reference |
GSC misc report 39 +1 other reference | |
Ref.: Geological Survey of Canada ... | |
Can Mineral December 1960 v. 6 no. 4 p. ... | |
| Can Mineral December 1960 v. 6 no. 4 p. ... |
| Ontario Mineral Deposits Inventory (MDI) |
| Ontario Ministry of Northern ... |
| Rose (1960) |
| GSC database |
| A specimen in the Royal Ontario Museum ... |
Hull to Waltham +2 other references | |
| Néron et al. (2018) |
China | |
| Qiang Wang et al. (2003) |
| Ruyi Zhao et al. (2013) |
Zhang Peishan et al. (1996) | |
| Qingchang Meng (1981) |
Miyawaki et al. (2011) | |
| Rengui Wu and Dagan Yu (2000) |
Yanning Meng and Honghai Fan (2013) | |
| Rengui Wu and Dagan Yu (2000) |
Dahlkamp et al. (2009) +1 other reference | |
| [var: Aldanite] Orris et al. (2002) |
| Ding et al. (2022) |
| Ziying Gao et al. (1991) |
Czech Republic | |
| Naemura +7 other references |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Jedwab et al. (1992) |
Egypt | |
| Küster (2009) |
Emad et al. (2022) | |
| Shalaby et al. (2002) |
Ibrahim (2014) | |
Gaafar | |
Ali et al. (2021) | |
Finland | |
| Kojonen et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Tuisku | |
| Sandström et al. (2009) |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
| Pérez del Villar et al. (386) |
Germany | |
| Habel (1995) |
| Blass +1 other reference |
Blass +1 other reference | |
| Blass +1 other reference |
| Blass +1 other reference |
| Schmitt et al. (2017) |
Greece | |
| Vasilatos et al. (2023) |
Greenland | |
| Bondam et al. (1958) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll & Gatter |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei: Mineral ... |
India | |
| Bhushan et al. (2019) |
Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
Bhushan et al. (2019) | |
Iran | |
| Dahlkamp (2009) |
| Foerster et al. (1994) |
Iraq | |
| Al-Hermezi (1985) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Knuever et al. (2023) |
... | |
| Russo et al. (2004) |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
| luigi mattei |
| Russo et al. (2004) |
| H.E. Belkin et al. (silicte/saline/sulfur-rich/CO2) |
| www.giovanigeologi.it (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Luigi Matei +2 other references | |
| www.gminromano.it (2005) |
| Guastoni et al. (2016) |
| www.socgeol.it (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Zaccarini et al. (2005) |
| Am Min 90:1177-1185 |
Japan | |
| Yukikaza Ogoshi and Tetsuo Minakawa (2009) |
| Nishio–Hamane et al. (2022) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| |
| Topper et al. (2013) |
Madagascar | |
| Rasoamalala et al. (2014) |
| Frank K. Mazdab collection |
| Behier (1963) |
Behier (1963) | |
Behier (1963) | |
Knut Edvard Larsen collection # MM-1022 | |
photo Id 315850 | |
Knut Edvard Larsen (2023) | |
M Arliguie collection (old label) | |
| Behier (1960) |
Besaire (1966) | |
M. Arligue specimen and photo +1 other reference | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Royal Museum for Central Africa | |
| Behier (1960) |
| Behier (1960) |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1963) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1963) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
| Behier (1960) |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1963) | |
| Besaire (1966) |
Alexander Ringel specimen and photo +2 other references | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
| Luc Vandenberghe collection +1 other reference |
Manfred Kampf photo | |
| Behier (1960) |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Delbos (1955) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1963) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Behier (1960) | |
Behier (1960) +1 other reference | |
Besaire (1966) | |
Besaire (1966) | |
| Behier (1963) |
| Hatzl (2010) |
| Besaire (1966) |
| M Arliguie M collection (old label) +1 other reference |
Mali | |
| Black et al. (1979) +2 other references |
Mauritania | |
| Marsh et al. (2015) |
Mexico | |
| Prol-Ledesma et al. (2012) |
Mongolia | |
| Kynický et al. (2005) |
| Berger et al. (2009) |
Mozambique | |
| Gajdošová et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
Wilson et al. (2000) | |
Wilson et al. (2000) | |
Myanmar | |
| Heo et al. (2020) |
Namibia | |
| Irene M. Abraham (2009) |
Nepal | |
| Aaron J. Martin et al. (2009) |
Niger | |
| Machens (1964) |
Norway | |
| Frigstad (1999) |
| Info. board at the mine |
| O'Nions et al. (1971) |
| Åmli (1974) |
| Jamtveit et al. (1997) |
| Raade et al. (1983) +1 other reference |
Oman | |
| Nasir |
Paraguay | |
| Comin-Chiaramonti et al. (2016) |
Romania | |
| www.researchgate.net (n.d.) |
Hirtopanu (2006) | |
| Pál Molnár (2000) |
| Szakáll et al. (2010) |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2013) |
Russia | |
| Doroshkevich et al. (2012) |
| Gordienko et al. (2016) |
| Bailey |
| Spiridonov et al. (2018) |
| Doroshkevich et al. (2008) |
| Murzin et al. (2018) |
| Murzin et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| webmineral.ru (2020) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Record: 33: 167. +2 other references |
| webmineral.ru (2016) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Sklyarov +3 other references | |
| Galuskina et al. (2013) |
| Sharygin +9 other references |
| Seltmann et al. (2010) |
| Gordienko et al. (2016) |
| Fersman Mineralogical Museum +2 other references |
| Sokol et al. (2023) |
| Barkov et al. (2021) +2 other references |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (1999) |
| Voloshin et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
Sorokhtina et al. (2016) | |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Krasnova (2001) | |
[World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference | |
[var: Aldanite] Clark (1993) | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Okrugin et al. (2023) |
| Doroshkevich et al. (2016) |
| Kovalenker et al. (2018) |
Slovakia | |
| Kubiš M. et al. (Gemeric unit, Western Carpathians,Slovakia) |
| Koděra |
South Africa | |
| Lee |
| VERWOERD (1986) |
| VERWOERD (1993) |
| Journal of African Earth Sciences ... |
Spain | |
| C. Canet et al. |
Sri Lanka | |
| [Circular of the USA National Bureau of Standards et al. (1953) +1 other reference |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
link.springer.com (n.d.) | |
Sweden | |
| Thulin (1996) |
| J.Langhof: REE-mineralogy in Mo-granite ... |
J.Langhof: REE-mineralogy in Mo-granite ... | |
Wilke (1997) | |
Tajikistan | |
| Elena S. Sorokina et al. (2015) |
Tanzania | |
| Wilhelmij et al. (2016) |
Turkey | |
| Yigit (2012) |
| Nikiforov et al. (2014) |
| Schuiling (1961) +3 other references |
UK | |
| LeBoutillier et al. (2003) |
LeBoutillier et al. (2003) | |
| Gallagher (1971) +1 other reference |
Ukraine | |
| Sharygin (2015) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
- (2008) | |
| - (2008) |
| USGS Prof Paper 649 +1 other reference |
USGS Prof Paper 649 +1 other reference | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Thompson et al. (1998) |
| Gibson et al. (1997) |
| Gobla (2012) |
| - (2005) |
| Gobla (2012) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Hoag et al. (1977) |
| Emproto et al. (2017) |
| Lapham & Geyer |
| Rocks & Min.: 11:90. Arthur Montgomery (1957) |
| Overstreet |
| Self-Collected by Franklin Roberts |
| Rocks & Minerals: 66 (3) |
| Audétat (2010) |
| Smith (1991) |
| Dietrich (1990) |
| Micro Probe Volume VI Number 8 |
| Derkey et al. (1990, November) +1 other reference |
| Van Rythoven et al. (2020) |
Zambia | |
| MacIntyre (2019) |
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