Piretite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Piretite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O
Colour:
Lemon-yellow
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
4.00
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For Dr. Paul Piret (born Tournai, Belgium May 13th 1932 and passed away in Ottignies, Belgium on March 22nd 1999), Professor of Crystallography, University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Described about 30 new mineral species, in co-authorship with Michel Deliens.
This page provides mineralogical data about Piretite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7238
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7238:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
120f216f-ae98-4d10-acc7-44a759a1397e
IMA Classification of Piretite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(Se4+O3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O
Classification of Piretite
4.JJ.15
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pir | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Piretite
Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Lemon-yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{001}, good.
{001}, good.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Comment:
Tenacity - weak
Density:
4.00 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.87 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Piretite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.540 nβ = 1.730 nγ = 1.750
2V:
Measured: 33° (5), Calculated: 32°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.210
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:
weak
Chemistry of Piretite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)4 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Piretite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.010(3) Å, b = 17.135(7) Å, c = 17.606(4) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.409 : 1 : 1.027
Unit Cell V:
2,114.77 Ă
Âł (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2.; Space group is Pmnm or Pmn21
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.50 Ă | (100) |
| 3.033 Ă | (100) |
| 8.80 Ă | (80) |
| 3.095 Ă | (50) |
| 8.57 Ă | (40) |
| 1.924 Ă | (40) |
| 4.29 Ă | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (Uâ¶âș) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Piretite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Vochten, R., Blaton, N., Peeters, O., Deliens, M. (1996) Piretite, Ca(UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)4âą4H2O, a new calcium uranyl selenite from Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire. Canadian Mineralogist: 34: 1315â1322.
Synonyms of Piretite
Other Language Names for Piretite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Piretite associated with Naumannite | Ag2Se |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JJ. | Petermegawite | Al6(Se4+O3)3[SiO3(OH)](OH)9 · 10H2O |
| 4.JJ. | BorzÄckiite | Pb(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JJ.05 | Marthozite | Cu2+(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 8H2O |
| 4.JJ.10 | Guilleminite | Ba(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 4.JJ.20 | Demesmaekerite | Pb2Cu5(UO2)2(SeO3)6(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 4.JJ.25 | Haynesite | (UO2)3(OH)2(SeO3)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.JJ.30 | Favreauite | PbBiCu6O4(SeO3)4(OH) · H2O |
Other Information
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 Piretite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7238.html
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References for Piretite
Reference List:
Vochten, R., Blaton, N., Peeters, O., Deliens, M. (1996) Piretite, Ca(UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)4·4H2O, a new calcium uranyl selenite from Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire. The Canadian Mineralogist, 34 (6) 1315-1322
Localities for Piretite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Morello (2016) |
Czech Republic | |
| In the collection of Brent Thorne. ... |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Can Min (1996) |
| Desor (12/2023) |
Quick NavTopAbout PiretiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo