Uranocircite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Uranocircite
Formula:
Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Colour:
Yellow-green, yellow; pale canary-yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
3.46
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Member of:
Name:
The name reflects its uranium content and its discovery locality, Falkenstein (Falcon's Stone) - the Greek ÎșÎŻÏÎșÎżÏ for "CIRCes" meaning "falcon." It was renamed to uranocircite-II in 1963, but reverted back to uranocircite in 2022.
Type Locality:
Autunite Group.
Dehydrates rapidly in dry atmospheres at normal temperature to metauranocircite (as metauranocircite-I in Walenta, 1963).
Dehydrates rapidly in dry atmospheres at normal temperature to metauranocircite (as metauranocircite-I in Walenta, 1963).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4105
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4105:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ece39e1e-58b2-4b1e-bcad-437d6e4f2c85
IMA Classification of Uranocircite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
Classification of Uranocircite
8.EB.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
40.2a.3.1
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+
19.11.22
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Urc-II | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Uranocircite
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on cleavage {001}.
Colour:
Yellow-green, yellow; pale canary-yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}; distinct on {100} {010}
Perfect on {001}; distinct on {100} {010}
Density:
3.46 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Uranocircite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.574 nβ = 1.583 nγ = 1.588
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 72°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.014
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:
none
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = Colourless
Y = Z = Pale canary yellow
Y = Z = Pale canary yellow
Comments:
Exhibits sets of twin lamellae parallel to {100} and {010}. The biaxial material, upon heating to 100° - 150°, transitions to uniaxial with the accompanying loss of water to the dihydrate.
Chemistry of Uranocircite
Mindat Formula:
Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O
Crystallography of Uranocircite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.01 Å, c = 20.46 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.919
Unit Cell V:
1,005.41 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Thin tabular crystals.
Twinning:
Twin lamellae parallel to {100} and {010}.
Comment:
Interpreted to be isostructural with heinrichite: monoclinic, space group P2/c, a 7.01, b 6.99, c 21.2 .ANG., beta 103.9°, V 1008.4 A3 (Locock et al., 2005)
Epitaxial Relationships of Uranocircite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
Epitaxy Comments:
Occurs in parallel growths.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47f : [Uranyl (Uâ¶âș) minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary uranium mineral
Type Occurrence of Uranocircite
Synonyms of Uranocircite
Other Language Names for Uranocircite
Simplified Chinese:éĄéäșæŻ
Spanish:Uranocircita
Relationship of Uranocircite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
HydronovĂĄÄekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
NovĂĄÄekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Saléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
9 photos of Uranocircite associated with Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
7 photos of Uranocircite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
5 photos of Uranocircite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
2 photos of Uranocircite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
2 photos of Uranocircite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
2 photos of Uranocircite associated with Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
2 photos of Uranocircite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
1 photo of Uranocircite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
1 photo of Uranocircite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
1 photo of Uranocircite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.EB. | Meta-autunite Group | A1-2(UO2)2(TO4)2 · 5-10H2O |
8.EB.05 | Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
8.EB.05 | Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.05 | Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.EB.05 | HydronovĂĄÄekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.EB.05 | Saléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.05 | Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.EB.05 | Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.05 | Xiangjiangite | (Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2O |
8.EB.05 | Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.EB.05 | Metarauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.05 | NovĂĄÄekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.05 | Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.10 | Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.EB.10 | Lehnerite | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metasaléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metauranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metauranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metaheinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metakahlerite | Fe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metakirchheimerite | Co(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | MetanovĂĄÄekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metazeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.EB.10 | Przhevalskite | Pb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2O |
8.EB.10 | Pseudo-autunite | (H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2O |
8.EB.10 | Metanatroautunite | Na(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3 |
8.EB.15 | Abernathyite | K(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
8.EB.15 | Chernikovite | (H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
8.EB.15 | Meta-ankoleite | K2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
8.EB.15 | Natrouranospinite | Na2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2O |
8.EB.15 | Trögerite | (H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
8.EB.15 | Uramphite | (NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
8.EB.15 | Uramarsite | (NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
8.EB.20 | Threadgoldite | Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
8.EB.20 | Chistyakovaite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2O |
8.EB.25 | Arsenuranospathite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2O |
8.EB.25 | Uranospathite | (Al,â»)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F) |
8.EB.30 | Vochtenite | (Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2O |
8.EB.35 | Coconinoite | Fe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2O |
8.EB.40 | Ranunculite | HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O |
8.EB.45 | Triangulite | Al3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O |
8.EB.50 | Furongite | Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O |
8.EB.55 | Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O |
8.EB.60 | Horåkite | (Bi7O7OH)[(UO2)4(PO4)2(AsO4)2(OH)2] · 3.5H2O |
Fluorescence of Uranocircite
Green
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive. Soluble in acids.
Health Risks:
Contains uranium. Wash hands after handling. Do not lick or ingest, do not breathe dust when breaking, trimming or otherwise modifying.
Internet Links for Uranocircite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4105.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Uranocircite
Reference List:
Church, A. H. (1877) VI.âNote on Uranocircite. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 1 (7) 234-236 doi:10.1180/minmag.1877.001.7.06
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.149
Fairchild, J. G. (1929) Base exchange in artificial autunites. American Mineralogist, 14 (7) 265-275
(1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin Vol. 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064
Localities for Uranocircite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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 | |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Austria | |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Exel (1993) |
Brazil | |
| Bruno Gioia specimen +1 other reference |
| |
Bulgaria | |
| Kalaidjiev et al. (2009) |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
China | |
| Dahlkamp (2009) |
| National Geological Archives of China ... |
| National Geological Archives of China ... |
| Maozhong Min et al. (2005) |
| Dahlkamp (2009) |
Dahlkamp (2009) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
| M.E. Ciriotti |
| JirĂĄsek J. et al. (2016) |
| PauliĆĄ P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| PauliĆĄ P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| PauliĆĄ P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Gauthier et al. (1989) |
| Dewaele et al. (2016) |
France | |
| Cuchet et al. (2000) |
| R. Pierrot |
| |
| - (1998) |
- (1998) | |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection +1 other reference |
| J. Geffroy |
| Asselborn (1983) +1 other reference |
| - (1998) |
| Schillinger et al. (2001) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| R.PIERROT et al. (1973) |
- (1998) | |
| R. Pierrot |
| R. Pierrot |
R. Pierrot | |
- (1998) | |
| - (1998) |
| R. Pierrot |
| |
| |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| |
| - (1998) |
| R. Pierrot |
| MAURY (S) +1 other reference |
Gabon | |
| Lheur et al. (2001) |
Germany | |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) |
Walenta (1992) | |
| www.mineralienatlas.de (n.d.) |
| Dill H.G.: "Mineralogical and chemical ... |
| collection H.J. Haas |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
Bald +1 other reference | |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
in the collection of Joachim Esche | |
Dill et al. (2010) +1 other reference | |
| Lapis (4) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Herrmann et al. (2007) |
| Weisbach (1877) +2 other references |
| Tröger (2006) +1 other reference |
| Matt Wall |
Wittern (2001) | |
Japan | |
| Hayashi & Nagashima (1965) |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1959) |
| Behier (1960) |
Niger | |
| |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka K. 1975: Mineralizacja skaĆ ... +2 other references |
Lis et al. (1986) | |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
Portugal | |
| LNEG - LaboratĂłrio Nacional de Energia ... |
| LNEG - LaboratĂłrio Nacional de Energia ... |
| LNEG - Siorminp database information |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| LNEG |
| LNEG/Siorminp database +1 other reference |
| Mineralien Atlas |
| |
Russia | |
| Kovalev et al. (2017) |
South Korea | |
| Jeong et al. (1999) |
Spain | |
| Desor (07/2020) |
| Menor et al. (2010) |
Tajikistan | |
| Chernikov et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| Austin (1964) +1 other reference |
| Granger (1959) |
| Granger (1959) +1 other reference |
| Granger (1959) |
| Troxel et al. (1957) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Meschter (1953) +3 other references |
| Jensen (2012) |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Tom Loomis website |
| USGS: Geological Survey Circular 359 |
| Page et al. (1956) +3 other references |
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Streuberg Quarry, Bergen, Vogtlandkreis, Saxony, Germany