Françoisite-(Nd)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Françoisite-(Nd)
Formula:
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.06
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1988 by P. Piret, M. Deliens, and J. Piret-Meunier in honor of Dr. Armand François (Aljustrel, Portugal, December 28th 1922 - ), Belgian geologist and former director of the Geology Department of Gécamine, a Zaïrian mining company.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Françoisite-(Nd).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1594
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1594:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
a802f8b0-73bf-405d-9ba1-08ab10ba0edb
IMA Classification of Françoisite-(Nd)
Approved
IMA Formula:
Nd(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2 · 6H2O
Approval year:
1987
First published:
1988
Classification of Françoisite-(Nd)
8.EC.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
42.4.14.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
19.11.34
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Frç-Nd | 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 Françoisite-(Nd)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
White, yellow
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{010}
{010}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.06 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Françoisite-(Nd)
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.650 nβ = 1.740 nγ = 1.750
2V:
Measured: 35° , Calculated: 34°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.100
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:
relatively strong
Chemistry of Françoisite-(Nd)
Mindat Formula:
(Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O
Crystallography of Françoisite-(Nd)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.298(2) Å, b = 15.605(4) Å, c = 13.668(2) Å
β = 112.77(1)°
β = 112.77(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.596 : 1 : 0.876
Unit Cell V:
1,828.61 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Twinned on (100)
Comment:
space groupP2/c
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.79 Å | (100) |
| 5.76 Å | (50) |
| 4.44 Å | (40) |
| 4.33 Å | (40) |
| 3.88 Å | (50B) |
| 3.13 Å | (50) |
| 2.874 Å | (40) |
| 2.840 Å | (40) |
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 Françoisite-(Nd)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper cobalt deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Piret, P., Deliens, M., and Piret-Meunier, J. (1988) La françoisite-(Nd), nouveau phosphate d'uranyle et de terres rares; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Mineralogie: 111: 443-449.
Synonyms of Françoisite-(Nd)
Françoisite (in part)
Other Language Names for Françoisite-(Nd)
German:Françoisit-(Nd)
Russian:Франкоисит-(Nd)
Relationship of Françoisite-(Nd) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Althupite | AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmma |
| Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
| Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 | Mon. 2/m |
| Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca |
| Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Françoisite-(Nd) associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 4 photos of Françoisite-(Nd) associated with Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EC.05 | Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 |
| 8.EC.05 | Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.05 | Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Arsenuranylite | Ca(UO2)4(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Kivuite | Th(UO2)4(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Renardite | Pb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 8.EC.15 | Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EC.15 | Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Metavanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Arsenovanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(AsO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 8.EC.25 | Althupite | AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O |
| 8.EC.30 | Mundite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5.5H2O |
| 8.EC.35 | Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.40 | Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O |
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 Françoisite-(Nd)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1594.html
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References for Françoisite-(Nd)
Reference List:
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline (1988) La françoisite-(Nd), nouveau phosphate d'uranyle et de terres rares ; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 111 (5) 443-449 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1988.8091
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
Localities for Françoisite-(Nd)
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.
Australia | |
| Brugger et al. (2003) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| [Mandarino +3 other references |
Gabon | |
| MinMag 60:665 +3 other references |
Germany | |
| Noller et al. (01/21) |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2006) |
Japan | |
| Uehara et al. (2022) |
Switzerland | |
| In Philippe Roth's collection. XRD and SEM/EDX determination by N. Meisser (MGL Lausanne) |
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Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo