Oursinite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Oursinite
Formula:
Co(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
All material so far seems to contain minor Mg replacing Co.
Colour:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.674 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
From the french oursin, in allusion to its appearance like a sea urchin
This page provides mineralogical data about Oursinite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3047
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3047:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1bbcde5f-2472-47ad-aade-9ed0fef0def6
IMA Classification of Oursinite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Classification of Oursinite
9.AK.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
53.3.1.7
53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
14.16.19
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates of U
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates 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 |
---|---|---|
Osn | 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 Oursinite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {hk0}
on {hk0}
Density:
3.674 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Oursinite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.624 nβ = 1.640 nγ = 1.650
2V:
Measured: 76° , Calculated: 76°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.026
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Oursinite
Mindat Formula:
Co(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O
All material so far seems to contain minor Mg replacing Co.
All material so far seems to contain minor Mg replacing Co.
Common Impurities:
Ni
Crystallography of Oursinite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmca
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.0457(4) Å, b = 17.5445(8) Å, c = 12.7231(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.402 : 1 : 0.725
Unit Cell V:
1,572.74 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Radiating aggregates of acicular crystals to 1mm.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Plášil (2018) with R1=2.03%.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0004122 | Oursinite | Kabatko K A, Burns P C (2006) A novel arrangement of silicate tetrahedra in the uranyl silicate sheet of oursinite, (Co0.8Mg0.2)[(UO2)(SiO3OH)]2(H2O)6 American Mineralogist 91 333-336 | 2006 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
8.73 Å | (100) |
7.20 Å | (70) |
5.16 Å | (50) |
4.55 Å | (35) |
4.141 Å | (70) |
3.528 Å | (40) |
3.267 Å | (30) |
2.853 Å | (90) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Oursinite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radial aggregates of pale yellow acicular crystals, with maximum dimensions 1 x 0.02 x 0.02 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, RGM1321.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Uranium deposit; brecciated dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Deliens, M., Piret, P. (1983) L'oursinite (Co0.86Mg0.10Ni0.04)0.2UO3·2SiO2·6H2O, nouveau mineral de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 106: 305-308.
Synonyms of Oursinite
Other Language Names for Oursinite
Relationship of Oursinite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Oursinite associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
1 photo of Oursinite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
1 photo of Oursinite associated with Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
1 photo of Oursinite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.AK. | Orlite | Pb3(UO2)3(Si2O7)2 · 6H2O |
9.AK.05 | Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
9.AK.10 | Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
9.AK.10 | Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
9.AK.15 | Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
9.AK.15 | Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
9.AK.15 | Natroboltwoodite | Na(UO2)(SiO3OH) · H2O |
9.AK.15 | Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
9.AK.15 | Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
9.AK.20 | Swamboite-(Nd) | Nd0.333[(UO2)(SiO3OH)](H2O)~2.5 |
9.AK.25 | Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
9.AK.25 | Metahaiweeite | Ca(UO2)2Si6O15 · nH2O |
9.AK.30 | Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
9.AK.30 | Coutinhoite | ThxBa(1-2x)(UO2)2Si5O13 · (H2O)1+y (0 < x < 0.5 and 0 < y < (2+x)) |
9.AK.35 | Magnioursilite | Mg4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 20H2O |
9.AK.35 | Calcioursilite | Ca4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 15H2O |
9.AK.40 | Uranosilite | UO3 · 7SiO2 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
Radioactive
Internet Links for Oursinite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3047.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Oursinite
Reference List:
Deliens, Michel, Piret, Paul (1983) L'oursinite (Co0,86Mg0,10Ni0,04)O.2UO3. 2SiO2.6H2O, nouveau minéral de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 106 (3) 305-308 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1983.7710
Deliens, Michel, Piret, Paul (1983) L'oursinite (Co0,86Mg0,10Ni0,04)O.2UO3. 2SiO2.6H2O, nouveau minéral de Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaïre. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 106 (3) 305-308 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1983.7710
Dunn, Pete J., Chao, George Y., Grice, Joel D., Ferraiolo, James A., Fleischer, Michael, Pabst, Adolf, Zilczer, Janet A. (1984) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 69 (5-6) 565-569 p.567
Localities for Oursinite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
DR Congo (TL) | |
| |
|
Quick NavTopAbout OursiniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo