Urancalcarite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Urancalcarite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(CO3)(OH)6 · 3H2O
Colour:
Light yellow, bright yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
4.03
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The name reflects its composition: uranyl plus calcareous components.
This page provides mineralogical data about Urancalcarite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4101
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4101:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
58e9cfcd-2bae-49cf-b42d-0c3da1541c13
IMA Classification of Urancalcarite
Approved
Approval year:
1983
Classification of Urancalcarite
5.EA.10
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
A : UO2:CO3 > 1:1
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
A : UO2:CO3 > 1:1
16b.5.2.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 4:1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : AmBn(XO3)pZq
11.11.9
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Uca | 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 Urancalcarite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Light yellow, bright yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
4.03 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.10 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Urancalcarite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.660(3) nβ = 1.712(2) nγ = 1.736(2)
2V:
Measured: 67° , Calculated: 66°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.076
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 Urancalcarite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(UO2)3(CO3)(OH)6 · 3H2O
Crystallography of Urancalcarite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.42(3) Å, b = 16.08(4) Å, c = 6.970(6) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.959 : 1 : 0.433
Unit Cell V:
1,728.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2.; Space Group: P bnm or P bn21
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.06 Å | (100) |
| 4.02 Å | (80) |
| 3.488 Å | (70) |
| 3.193 Å | (50) |
| 2.101 Å | (50) |
| 2.829 Å | (40) |
| 7.00 Å | (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] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Urancalcarite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RGM13995.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Deliens M, Piret P (1984) L'urancalcarite, Ca(UO2)3CO3(OH)6.3H2O, nouveau minéral de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie (107: 21-24.
Synonyms of Urancalcarite
Other Language Names for Urancalcarite
German:Urancalcarit
Spanish:Urancalcarita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Urancalcarite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Urancalcarite associated with Wyartite | CaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH) · 7H2O |
| 2 photos of Urancalcarite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Urancalcarite associated with Rameauite | K2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Urancalcarite associated with Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 1 photo of Urancalcarite associated with Agrinierite | K2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.EA.05 | UM1997-24-CO:CaCuHU | Ca2Cu(UO2)2(CO3)2O3 · 3H2O |
| 5.EA.15 | Wyartite | CaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH) · 7H2O |
| 5.EA.20 | Oswaldpeetersite | (UO2)2(CO3)(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.EA.25 | Roubaultite | Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 5.EA.30 | Kamotoite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)4(CO3)3O4 · 14H2O |
| 5.EA.35 | Sharpite | Ca(UO2)3(CO3)4 · 3H2O |
Other Information
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 Urancalcarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4101.html
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References for Urancalcarite
Reference List:
Deliens, Michel, Piret, Paul (1984) L'urancalcarite, Ca(UO2)3CO3(OH)6.3H2O, nouveau minéral de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 107 (1) 21-24 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1984.7789
Localities for Urancalcarite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Aizhen Wang (1992) |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Deliens et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Chuck Adan Collection |
| Caubel (1997) |
Norway | |
| Roy Kristiansen (1989) +1 other reference |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu P. et al. (2004) |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo