Vandenbrandeite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Vandenbrandeite
Formula:
Cu(UO2)(OH)4
Colour:
Blackish green to dark green with bluish green tint
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
5.03
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by Alfred Schoep in 1932 in honour of Pierre Van den Brande (born Brussels April 11 th 1896 and died December 10th 1957 near Kabombwe, DRCongo, after an attack by elephants), Belgian geologist, Geological Survey of Katanga, who discovered the deposit at Kalongwe.
Type Locality:
Highly stable in the presence of water and H2O2.
"A potential alteration product of spent nuclear fuel" (Frankland et al., 2023).
"A potential alteration product of spent nuclear fuel" (Frankland et al., 2023).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4144
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4144:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
46b730cd-d18d-4219-96a7-2c9b9cfde80c
IMA Classification of Vandenbrandeite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1932
Classification of Vandenbrandeite
4.GB.45
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
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
5.3.2.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
3 : AXO4·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
3 : AXO4·xH2O
7.16.9
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vbd | 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 Vandenbrandeite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Blackish green to dark green with bluish green tint
Streak:
Green
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001} perfect; distinct in the zone [001]; and, indistinct also in that zone.
On {001} perfect; distinct in the zone [001]; and, indistinct also in that zone.
Density:
5.03 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.26 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vandenbrandeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.765 - 1.770 nβ = 1.780 - 1.792 nγ = 1.800
2V:
Measured: 90° , Calculated: 60° to 88°
Birefringence:
0.035
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.035
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:
Very High
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X blue green, Z yellow green
Chemistry of Vandenbrandeite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(UO2)(OH)4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Vandenbrandeite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.86 Å, b = 5.44 Å, c = 6.10 Å
α = 91.87°, β = 102.0°, γ = 89.62°
α = 91.87°, β = 102.0°, γ = 89.62°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.445 : 1 : 1.121
Unit Cell V:
254.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Somewhat bladed {001} crystals with acute habit, often in parallel aggregates; lathlike at times. Massive.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012336 | Vandenbrandeite | Rosenzweig A, Ryan R R (1977) Vandenbrandeite CuUO2(OH)4 Crystal Structure Communications 6 53-56 | 1977 | Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Katanga, Zaire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.06 Å | (40) |
| 4.29 Å | (100) |
| 2.92 Å | (80) |
| 2.56 Å | (40) |
| 2.09 Å | (30) |
| 1.85 Å | (30) |
| 1.47 Å | (30) |
| 1.32 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 4-340 (natural)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxide zone above a supergene copper deposit
Type Occurrence of Vandenbrandeite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 134-72.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1933,261–263.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1933,261–263.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schoep, A. (1932) La vandenbrandeite, un nouveau minéral uranifére. Annales du Musée du Congo Belge, Tervuren: 1(3): 24-31.
Synonyms of Vandenbrandeite
Other Language Names for Vandenbrandeite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 43 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 36 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 20 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Guilleminite | Ba(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 11 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 10 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 10 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| 8 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 6 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 5 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Vandenbrandeite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.GB.05 | Agrinierite | K2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Compreignacite | K2(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 7H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Rameauite | K2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Protasite | Ba(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.15 | Richetite | (Fe3+,Mg)Pb 8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24 · 41H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Bauranoite | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Calciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb)U2O7 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Metacalciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb,K2)U2O7 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.25 | Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.30 | Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.35 | Masuyite | Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.40 | Metavandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · nH2O n < 12 |
| 4.GB.40 | Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.50 | Sayrite | Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.55 | Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 4.GB.60 | Iriginite | (UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.65 | Uranosphaerite | Bi(UO2)O2(OH) |
| 4.GB.70 | Holfertite | CaxU6+2-xTi(O8-xOH4x) · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.75 | Carlosbarbosaite | (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.80 | Gauthierite | KPb[(UO2)7O5(OH)7] · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.85 | Kroupaite | KPb0.5[(UO2)8O4(OH)10] · 10H2O |
| 4.GB.90 | Leesite | K(H2O)2[(UO2)4O2(OH)5] · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.95 | Shinkolobweite | Pb1.25[U5+(H2O)2(U6+O2)5O8(OH)2](H2O)5 |
| 4.GB.95 | Nollmotzite | Mg[U5+(U6+O2)2O4F3] · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Vandenbrandeite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
2327 and 1604 cm−1 bands of the Raman spectra are overtones; a 1554 cm−1 band is a combination band
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 Vandenbrandeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4144.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Vandenbrandeite
Reference List:
Milne, I. H., Nuffield, E. W. (1951) Studies of radioactive compounds: I - Vandenbrandeite. American Mineralogist, 36 (5-6) 394-410
(1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin Vol. 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.100-103
Localities for Vandenbrandeite
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.
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens +1 other reference |
| 304 [287]. +2 other references |
| Deliens | |
| 304 [268]. +4 other references |
| Deliens +3 other references |
| J.W. Anthony et al. (2003) |
| J.W. Anthony et al. (2003) | |
| Anderson (1978) +3 other references |
France | |
| Bariand et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
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Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo