Roubaultite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Roubaultite
Marcel Edouard Roubault
Formula:
Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Grass-green to apple-green
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.02 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Marcel Roubault (11 May 1905 - 17 April 1974), French geologist and professor. He was Director of the National School of Geology in Nancy, France and a pioneer in uranium research in France.
This page provides mineralogical data about Roubaultite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3462
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3462:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
e2e21737-9d90-4dd4-ae5c-2a6b183cb825
IMA Classification of Roubaultite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2O2(UO2)3(CO3)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Approval year:
1970
First published:
1970
Classification of Roubaultite
5.EA.25
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
A : UO2:CO3 > 1:1
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
A : UO2:CO3 > 1:1
16b.7.13.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
7.16.10
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rbl | 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 Roubaultite
Colour:
Grass-green to apple-green
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100} and imperfect on {010}
Perfect on {100} and imperfect on {010}
Density:
5.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Roubaultite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.700(2) nβ = 1.800(4) nγ = 1.830(10)
2V:
Measured: 55° , Calculated: 46° to 60°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.130
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:
relatively weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = colorless
Y = colorless
Z = yellow-green
Y = colorless
Z = yellow-green
Chemistry of Roubaultite
Mindat Formula:
Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Roubaultite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.73 Å, b = 6.87 Å, c = 10.87 Å
α = 86.48°, β = 134.2°, γ = 93.17°
α = 86.48°, β = 134.2°, γ = 93.17°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.125 : 1 : 1.582
Unit Cell V:
412.99 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Rosette-like aggregates consisting of platy (on (100)) crystals.
Comment:
space group P1 or P-1
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010005 | Roubaultite | Ginderow D, Cesbron F (1985) Structure de la roubaultite, Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2(H2O)4 Acta Crystallographica C41 654-657 |  | 1985 | Shinkolobwe, Province du Shaba, Zaire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.74 Å | (90) |
| 6.88 Å | (80) |
| 5.55 Å | (100) |
| 3.448 Å | (80) |
| 3.226 Å | (80) |
| 3.175 Å | (80) |
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 Roubaultite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Collection of École nationale supérieure des Mines de Paris
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone at the Shinkolobwe Uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Cesbron F., Pierrot R., Verbeek T. (1970) La roubaultite Cu2(UO2)3(OH)10·5H2O, une nouvelle espéce minérale. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie: 93: 500-554.
Synonyms of Roubaultite
Other Language Names for Roubaultite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Roubaultite associated with Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 2 photos of Roubaultite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Roubaultite associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Roubaultite associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Roubaultite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.EA.05 | UM1997-24-CO:CaCuHU | Ca2Cu(UO2)2(CO3)2O3 · 3H2O |
| 5.EA.10 | Urancalcarite | Ca(UO2)3(CO3)(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 5.EA.15 | Wyartite | CaU5+(UO2)2(CO3)O4(OH) · 7H2O |
| 5.EA.20 | Oswaldpeetersite | (UO2)2(CO3)(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
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 Roubaultite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3462.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 Roubaultite
Reference List:
Cesbron, Fabien, Pierrot, Roland, Verbeek, Théodore (1970) La roubaultite Cu2(UO2)3(OH)10·5H2O, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 93 (5) 550-554 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1970.6513
Ginderow, D., Cesbron, F. (1985) Structure de la roubaultite, Cu2(UO2)3(CO3)2O2(OH)2·4H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 41 (5) 654-657 doi:10.1107/s0108270185004991
Localities for Roubaultite
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.
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Cesbron et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
| Deliens et al. (1990) +3 other references |
| Paul De Bondt photo and specimen +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout RoubaultiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
KOV Open cut, Kamoto, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo