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Uranosphaerite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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08531130014953219217160.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
05551950014969476464792.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
07080040015407619231555.jpg
Uranosphaerite, etc.

Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
00373200014946619646644.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
03866580014959827214822.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
04796440015382237344726.jpg
Uranosphaerite, etc.

Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
08531130014953219217160.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
05551950014969476464792.jpg
Uranosphaerite

Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
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About UranosphaeriteHide

Formula:
Bi(UO2)O2(OH)
Colour:
Yellow-orange, reddish orange, brick red
Lustre:
Greasy
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.36
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From uranium plus Greek "sphaira", sphere, alluding to its composition and occurrence in ball-like masses.
This page provides mineralogical data about Uranosphaerite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4112
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4112:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
d631baa3-2739-41ad-8aea-36190b19671d

IMA Classification of UranosphaeriteHide

Classification of UranosphaeriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):
4.GB.65

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
Dana 8th ed.:
5.9.1.1

5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:
7.16.33

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

Physical Properties of UranosphaeriteHide

Lustre:
Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-orange, reddish orange, brick red
Streak:
yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}.
Density:
6.36 g/cm3 (Measured)    7.731 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of UranosphaeriteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.955 - 1.959 nβ = 1.981 - 1.985 nγ = 2.050 - 2.060
2V:
Measured: 56° , Calculated: 56°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.095 - 0.101
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
strong: r < v

Chemistry of UranosphaeriteHide

Mindat Formula:
Bi(UO2)O2(OH)
Elements listed:
Bi, H, O, U - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of UranosphaeriteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.559(2) Å, b = 7.811(2) Å, c = 7.693(2) Å
β = 92.88(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.968 : 1 : 0.985
Unit Cell V:
453.6 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Hemispherical aggregate forms comprised of minute, acutely terminated crystals elongated [001]. Concentric and radiated structures.
Comment:
Space Group: P21/n

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0005845UranosphaeriteHughes K A, Burns P C, Kolitsch U (2003) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH The Canadian Mineralogist 41 677-6852003Clara barite and fluorite mine, Black Forest, Germany0293
0005846UranosphaeriteHughes K A, Burns P C, Kolitsch U (2003) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH The Canadian Mineralogist 41 677-68520030293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.16 Å(10)
1.83 Å(8)
3.87 Å(7)
5.25 Å(6)
3.47 Å(6)
1.90 Å(5)
4.37 Å(4)

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]

Type Occurrence of UranosphaeriteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Walpurgis Flacher vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine (shaft 3), Neustädtel, Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
ZeuneriteWalpurgiteUranospiniteUranospathiteTrögerite
ErythriteAsselbornite
Reference:
Weisbach, A. (1873): Neue Uranerze von Neustädtel bei Schneeberg.- Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Hüttenwesen im Königreiche Sachsen, Abhandlungen, 119-121.

Synonyms of UranosphaeriteHide

Other Language Names for UranosphaeriteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
16 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O
12 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
9 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
9 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Trögerite(H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O
2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with FluoriteCaF2
2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Walpurgite(BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with QuartzSiO2
2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Churchite-(Y)Y(PO4) · 2H2O
2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
1 photo of Uranosphaerite associated with Bismutite(BiO)2CO3

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.10BillietiteBa(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2OOrth. mm2
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.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

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.

Internet Links for UranosphaeriteHide

References for UranosphaeriteHide

Reference List:
Weisbach, A. (1873): Neue Uranerze von Neustädtel bei Schneeberg.- Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Hüttenwesen im Königreiche Sachsen, Abhandlungen, 119-121.
Winkler (1873), J. pr. Chem.: 7: 5.
Weisbach, A. (1873): Neue Uranerze von Neustädtel bei Schneeberg.- Jahrbuch für das Berg- und Hüttenwesen im Königreiche Sachsen, Abhandlungen, 119-121.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Protas, J. (1959): Contribution à l'étude des oxydes d'uranium hydratés. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 82, 239-272 (in French).
Science (1965): 149: 742-744.
Hughes, K.-A., Burns, P. C., Kolitsch, U. (2003) The crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3) 677-685 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.677
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Sejkora, J., Cejka, J. & Kolitsch, U. (2008): Uranosphaerite from Horni Halze near Medenec (Krusne hory Mountains, Czech Republic): description and vibrational characteristics. Neues Jb. Mineral. Abh. 185, 91-98.
Colmenero, F., Plášil, J., Němec, I. (2020) Uranosphaerite: Crystal structure, hydrogen bonding, mechanics, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and thermodynamics. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 141, 109400.
(2023) Uranosphaerite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for UranosphaeriteHide

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
 
  • Northern Territory
    • Coomalie Shire
      • Batchelor
        • Rum Jungle
D A Berkman (1968)
  • South Australia
    • Flinders Ranges
      • North Flinders Ranges
        • Arkaroola Region (Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary; Arkaroola Station)
          • Mt Painter area
Coats & Blissett (1971) +1 other reference
Belgium
 
  • Wallonia
    • Luxembourg
Jacques Jedwab collection
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
Pires et al. (2014)
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Cheb District
      • Mariánské Lázně
Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
    • Karlovy Vary District
Lapis 2002 (7/8)
  • Liberec Region
    • Semily District
      • Harrachov
Sejkora +1 other reference
  • Plzeň Region
    • Tachov District
      • Zadní Chodov
Pauliš et al. (2007)
  • Ústí nad Labem Region
    • Chomutov District
      • Měděnec
Sejkora et al. (2007) +2 other references
DR Congo
 
  • Lualaba
    • Mutshatsha
      • Kolwezi
Desor (03/21)
France
 
  • Brittany
    • Morbihan
      • Pontivy
        • Guern
R. Pierrot
        • Lignol
- (1998)
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Creuse
      • Guéret
        • Crozant
- (1998)
- (1998)
Germany
 
  • Baden-Württemberg
    • Freiburg Region
      • Ortenaukreis
        • Oberwolfach
Walenta (1999) +1 other reference
      • Waldshut
        • St Blasien
          • Menzenschwand
Carsten Slotta collection (confirmed by Jakub Plasil)
  • Bavaria
    • Upper Franconia
      • Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge
        • Kirchenlamitz
          • Großschloppen
Weiß (1990)
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Neustadt an der Waldnaab District
        • Waidhaus
          • Hagendorf
Schnorrer et al. (2003)
  • Saxony
    • Erzgebirgskreis
      • Geyer
Wittern (2001)
Wittern (2001)
      • Schneeberg
        • Neustädtel
          • Weißer Hirsch Mine (shaft 3)
A. Weisbach (1873) +2 other references
Russia
 
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
    • Iultinsky District
Alekseev et al. (2015)
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