Uranospathite
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About Uranospathite
Formula:
(Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F)
Colour:
Yellow, light yellow-green, pale green
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.5
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to its composition, containing URANium plus Greek σπάθη for "SPATHe", sword or broad blade, alluding to its common habit.
Isostructural with:
The P analogue of arsenuranospathite. An uncommon secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits.
Easily loses 10-12 H2O converting to sabugalite (Walenta, 1978).
Crystal structure details:
- corner-sharing UO6 square bipyramids
- PO4 tetrahedra
- the above form autunite-type [(UO2)(PO4)] sheet
- Al(H2O)6 octahedra are in the interlayer space
- 8 isolated water molecules in the interlayer
- hydrogen bonds link together the water molecules, Al octahedra and UAs-bearing sheets, forming a very complex bonding net
- F is supposed to replace some of the water molecules in the Al-bearing octahedra.
Easily loses 10-12 H2O converting to sabugalite (Walenta, 1978).
Crystal structure details:
- corner-sharing UO6 square bipyramids
- PO4 tetrahedra
- the above form autunite-type [(UO2)(PO4)] sheet
- Al(H2O)6 octahedra are in the interlayer space
- 8 isolated water molecules in the interlayer
- hydrogen bonds link together the water molecules, Al octahedra and UAs-bearing sheets, forming a very complex bonding net
- F is supposed to replace some of the water molecules in the Al-bearing octahedra.
Classification of Uranospathite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
7/E.04-10
8.EB.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
40.2a.22.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2a : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O, containing (UO2)2+
19.11.32
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
Physical Properties of Uranospathite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, light yellow-green, pale green
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {001}, perfect; on {100} and {010}, good.
On {001}, perfect; on {100} and {010}, good.
Density:
2.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.49 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Uranospathite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.492 nβ = 1.510 nγ = 1.521
2V:
Measured: 69° , Calculated: 70°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.029

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:
Low
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Pale yellow
Y = Z = Deep yellow
Y = Z = Deep yellow
Comments:
anomalous
Chemical Properties of Uranospathite
Formula:
(Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F)
IMA Formula:
(Al,◻)(UO2)2F(PO4)2 · 20H2O
Crystallography of Uranospathite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pnn2
Cell Parameters:
a = 30.020(4) Å, b = 7.0084(9) Å, c = 7.0492(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.283 : 1 : 1.006
Unit Cell V:
1483.1 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals platy, rectangular, flattened on {001}, striated parallel to the elongation [010], and exhibiting {100} and {010}, in fanlike groups.
Twinning:
On {110}, forming cruciform groupings.
Comment:
Pseudotetragonal (P42/n, a = 7.00, c = 30.02 A)
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0006021 | Uranospathite | Locock A J, Kinman W S, Burns P C (2005) The structure and composition of uranospathite, Al1-xVacancyx[(UO2)(PO4)]2(H2O)20+3xF1-3x, x = 0 - 0.33, a non-centrosymmetric fluorine-bearing mineral of the autunite group, and of a related synthetic lower hydrate, Al0.67Vacancy0.33[(UO2)(PO4)]2(H2O)15.5 The Canadian Mineralogist 43 989-1003 | ![]() | 2005 | Venachat, Haute-Vienne, France | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
15.22 Å | (100) |
7.60 Å | (100) |
4.93 Å | (100) |
3.50 Å | (80) |
4.48 Å | (60) |
2.21 Å | (60) |
4.08 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Basset mines material
Type Occurrence of Uranospathite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Museum of Practical Geology, Ludlam collection: #L1941, now in The Natural History Museum, London, England.
Other Language Names for Uranospathite
Common Associates
Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
8.EB.05 | Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
8.EB.05 | Heinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
8.EB.05 | Kahlerite | Fe(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
8.EB.05 | Nováčekite-I | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.05 | Saléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
8.EB.05 | Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
8.EB.05 | Uranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. |
8.EB.05 | Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
8.EB.05 | Xiangjiangite | (Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2O | Tet. |
8.EB.05 | Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
8.EB.05 | Metarauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.05 | Rauchite | Ni(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.10 | Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
8.EB.10 | Lehnerite | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.10 | Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) |
8.EB.10 | Metasaléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | |
8.EB.10 | Metauranocircite-I | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
8.EB.10 | Metauranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
8.EB.10 | Metaheinrichite | Ba(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4mm |
8.EB.10 | Metakahlerite | Fe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.10 | Metakirchheimerite | Co(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.10 | Metanováčekite | Mg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4/m : P4/n |
8.EB.10 | Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4/m : P4/n |
8.EB.10 | Metazeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4/m : P42/n |
8.EB.10 | Przhevalskite | Pb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2O | Orth. |
8.EB.10 | Meta-lodèvite | Zn(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | |
8.EB.15 | Abernathyite | K(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc |
8.EB.15 | Chernikovite | (H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. |
8.EB.15 | Meta-ankoleite | K2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
8.EB.15 | Natrouranospinite | Na2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
8.EB.15 | Trögerite | (H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
8.EB.15 | Uramphite | (NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. |
8.EB.15 | Uramarsite | (NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mmm |
8.EB.20 | Threadgoldite | Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.20 | Chistyakovaite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.25 | Arsenuranospathite | Al(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2O | Orth. mm2 : Pnn2 |
8.EB.30 | Vochtenite | (Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.35 | Coconinoite | Fe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.40 | Ranunculite | HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O | Mon. |
8.EB.45 | Triangulite | Al3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O | Tric. |
8.EB.50 | Furongite | Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.EB.55 | Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
19.11.1 | Lermontovite | U(PO4)(OH) · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ccca |
19.11.2 | Metavanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Fddd |
19.11.3 | Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Orth. |
19.11.4 | Chernikovite | (H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. |
19.11.5 | Vyacheslavite | U(PO4)(OH) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmca |
19.11.6 | Metanatroautunite | Na(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/ncc |
19.11.7 | Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
19.11.8 | Meta-ankoleite | K2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/nmm |
19.11.9 | Uramphite | (NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. |
19.11.10 | Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm |
19.11.11 | Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Tet. 4/m : P4/n |
19.11.12 | Saléeite | Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
19.11.13 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O | Orth. |
19.11.14 | Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) |
19.11.15 | Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
19.11.16 | Pseudo-autunite | (H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2O | Orth. |
19.11.17 | Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O | Orth. |
19.11.18 | Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm |
19.11.19 | Ulrichite | CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. |
19.11.20 | Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
19.11.21 | Metauranocircite-I | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2O | Mon. 2 : P21 |
19.11.22 | Uranocircite | Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Tet. |
19.11.23 | Ranunculite | HAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2O | Mon. |
19.11.24 | Triangulite | Al3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O | Tric. |
19.11.25 | Mundite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5.5H2O | Orth. |
19.11.26 | Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O | Mon. |
19.11.27 | Furongite | Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
19.11.28 | Threadgoldite | Al(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2O | Mon. |
19.11.29 | Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 | Mon. 2/m |
19.11.30 | Moreauite | Al3(UO2)(PO4)3(OH)2 · 13H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
19.11.31 | Sabugalite | HAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
19.11.33 | Althupite | AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
19.11.34 | Françoisite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. |
19.11.35 | Kivuite | Th(UO2)4(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 7H2O | |
19.11.36 | Parsonsite | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
19.11.37 | Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)2(PO4)4O4 · 12H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmma |
19.11.38 | Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
19.11.39 | Przhevalskite | Pb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2O | Orth. |
19.11.40 | Lehnerite | Mn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. |
19.11.41 | Bassetite | Fe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2O | Mon. 2/m |
19.11.42 | Vochtenite | (Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2O | Mon. |
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Yellowish green (UV).
Notes:
Radioactive. Readily dehydrates to Sabugalite.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
References for Uranospathite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Hallimond (1915) Mineralogical Magazine: 17: 221-230.
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 990.
Walenta, K. (1978) Uranospathite and arsenuranospathite. Mineralogical Magazine, 42, 117–128.
American Mineralogist (1979) 64: 465.
Locock, A.J., Kinman, W.S. & Burns, P.C. (2005) The structure and composition of uranospathite, Al1–x◻x[(UO2)(PO4)]2(H2O)20+3xF1–3x, 0 < x < 0.33, a non-centrosymmetric fluorine-bearing mineral of the autunite group, and of a related synthetic lower hydrate, Al0.67◻0.33[(UO2)(PO4)]2(H2O)15. Canadian Mineralogist 43: 989-1003.
Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W. and Nichols, M.C., Eds. Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineralogical Society of America, Chantilly, VA 20151-1110, USA. http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/ (2016)
Theye, T., Walenta, K., Markl, G. (2016): The chemical composition of uranospathite, arsenuranospathite, and associated minerals revisited: the peculiarity of fluorine incorporation in autunite group minerals. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen: Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry 193, 59-68.
Internet Links for Uranospathite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4111.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Uranospathite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| |
China | |
| Dahlkamp, F.J., Ed. (2009): Uranium Deposits of the World. Springer (Berlin, Heidelberg), pp. 31-156 |
Dahlkamp, F.J., Ed. (2009): Uranium Deposits of the World. Springer (Berlin, Heidelberg), pp. 31-156 | |
Czech Republic | |
| Lapis 2002(7/8), 63-65 |
Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
Ecuador | |
| Manrique, J., Guaman, G., & Guartan, J. (2018). Geochemical Prospecting Study of the Vanadium-Uranium Mineralization of Puyango, Ecuador (No. IAEA-CN--261). |
France | |
| Patrice Queneau Collection |
| |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998 |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998 |
| Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998 |
Germany | |
| Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992 |
| Möhn, G., Stolze, S. & Desor, J. (11/2020) SEM-EDS confirmed |
| Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 967. |
Italy | |
| Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 23 (1), 42-49 |
North Macedonia | |
| Radusinovic, D. (1974). Zletovska Reka uranium deposit. In IAEA Symposium on the formation of uranium ore deposits. Athens, Greece (pp. 593-601). |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu P., Udubaşa G., Scott P., Hârtopanu I. (2004) Uranium sulphide mineralisation in the Bistriţa Mts., East Carpathians, Romania. Romanian Journal of Mineral Deposits 81:108-111 |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Cairncross, B., Dixon, R. (1995) Minerals of South Africa. Geological Society of South Africa, PO Box 44283, Linden 2104, South Africa. |
Spain | |
| Grupo Mineralogista de Madrid(1994) Don Benito, uranio en la pizarra. Bocamina, Vol.0, p 39. (in Spanish) |
| https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=141369#141369 |
https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=141369#141369 | |
| http://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6707 |
Switzerland | |
| - Meisser, N. (2012): La minéralogie de l'uranium dans le massif des Aiguilles Rouges. Matér. Géol. Suisse, Sér. géotech. 96, 183 p. |
UK (TL) | |
| [Embrey & Symes, 1987, 45 - "Minerals of Cornwall and Devon"] |
USA | |
| UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah |
| Travis Olds collection; Kampf, A.R., Plášil, J., Kasatkin, A.V., Marty, J., and Čejka, J. (2018) Markeyite, a new calcium uranyl carbonate mineral from the Markey mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 82, 1089-1100. |
Le Boucheron, Davignac, Ussel, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France