Ulrichite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ulrichite
Formula:
CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Apple-green, lime-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.71 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of George Henry Frederick Ulrich (7 July 1830, Zellerfeld, Germany – 26 May 1900, Flagstaff Point, New Zealand), for his contributions to the mineralogy of Victoria, Australia. He was a geologist and lecturer in mining at the University of Melbourne. He was also curator of the mineral collection at the Industrial and Technological Museum in Melbourne.
This page provides mineralogical data about Ulrichite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4088
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4088:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5e04a507-7c40-4071-b794-095542b7e8ee
IMA Classification of Ulrichite
Approved
Approval year:
1988
First published:
1988
Classification of Ulrichite
8.EA.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
40.2a.30.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
19.11.19
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates 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 |
---|---|---|
Ulr | 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 Ulrichite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Apple-green, lime-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Density:
3.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ulrichite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.622(2) nγ = 1.634(2)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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 to r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Parallel extinction, length slow
Chemistry of Ulrichite
Mindat Formula:
CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Ulrichite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.79(3) Å, b = 6.85(2) Å, c = 13.02(3) Å
β = 91.03(7)°
β = 91.03(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.867 : 1 : 1.901
Unit Cell V:
1,140.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Sometimes as flat prisms with complex terminations
Twinning:
On {100} common
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0012062 | Ulrichite | Birch W D, Mumme W G, Segnit E R (1988) Ulrichite: a new copper calcium uranium phosphate from Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia Australian Mineralogist 3 125-131 | 1988 | Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 | |
0014560 | Ulrichite | Kolitsch U, Giester G (2001) Revision of the crystal structure of ulrichite, CaCu2+(UO2)(PO4)2*4(H2O) Mineralogical Magazine 65 717-724 | 2001 | Lake Boga, near Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
6.389 Å | (100) |
5.602 Å | (14) |
4.498 Å | (15) |
3.480 Å | (14) |
3.193 Å | (45) |
2.879 Å | (20) |
2.373 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Ulrichite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radiating sprays of apple-green to lime-green acicular crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.05 mm thick, also as flat prisms with complex pyramidal terminations.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogy Department, Museum of Victoria, Australia, M38576.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Miarolitic cavities in pegmatoidal granite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Birch, W.D., Mumme, W.G., Segnit, E.R. (1988) Ulrichite: a new copper calcium uranium phosphate from Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia. Australian Mineralogist: 3(3): 125-131.
Synonyms of Ulrichite
Other Language Names for Ulrichite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
9 photos of Ulrichite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
6 photos of Ulrichite associated with Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Opal-AN | SiO2 · nH2O |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
1 photo of Ulrichite associated with Cyrilovite | NaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.EA.05 | Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.EA.05 | Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.EA.05 | Phosphowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.EA.10 | Hallimondite | Pb2(UO2)(AsO4)2 · nH2O |
8.EA.10 | Parsonsite | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 |
8.EA.20 | Lakebogaite | CaNaFe3+2H(UO2)2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
Fluorescence of Ulrichite
Nonfluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute HCl and HNO3.
Radioactive.
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.
Internet Links for Ulrichite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4088.html
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References for Ulrichite
Localities for Ulrichite
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Birch et al. (1988) +4 other references |
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Lake Boga granite quarry, Lake Boga, Swan Hill Rural City, Victoria, Australia