Metauranopilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Metauranopilite
Formula:
(UO2)6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O
Colour:
Yellow, greyish, brown, green
Name:
From the Greek for "different" and its relationship to Uranopilite, having a different hydration value.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2666
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2666:2
IMA Classification of Metauranopilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(U6+O2)6S6+O4(OH)10·5H2O
Approval year:
2008
Classification of Metauranopilite
7.EA.05
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
A : Without cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
A : Without cations
31.2.7.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)6(XO4)Zq·xH2O
25.8.8
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, Cr and U
25 : Sulphates
8 : Sulphates of Sb, V, Cr and 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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mup | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Metauranopilite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Metauranopilite
Colour:
Yellow, greyish, brown, green
Optical Data of Metauranopilite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.72 nβ = 1.76 nγ = 1.76
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.040
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (-0°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r < v moderate
Pleochroism:
Not Visible
Chemistry of Metauranopilite
Mindat Formula:
(UO2)6(SO4)(OH)10 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Metauranopilite
Morphology:
Crystals occurs as needles and laths.
Comment:
Crystal structure unknown.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.65 Å | (10) |
| 5.53 Å | (8) |
| 5.08 Å | (4) |
| 4.36 Å | (4) |
| 3.67 Å | (4) |
| 3.57 Å | (10) |
| 3.31 Å | (9) |
| 3.00 Å | (5) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Metauranopilite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic, listed but cannot be located.
Synonyms of Metauranopilite
Other Language Names for Metauranopilite
Dutch:Metauranopiliet
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EA. | Scenicite | [(UO2)(H2O)2(SO4)]2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EA.05 | Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O |
| 7.EA.10 | Jáchymovite | (UO2)8(SO4)(OH)14 · 13H2O |
| 7.EA.15 | Shumwayite | (UO2)2(SO4)2 · 5H2O |
Radioactivity
Fluorescence of Metauranopilite
Yellowish green (UV).
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 Metauranopilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2666.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Metauranopilite
Localities for Metauranopilite
Showing 7 localities.
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.
Austria | |
| Aufschluss 1972 (SB) |
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Caubel (1997) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
Poland | |
| Plewa A. 1965: Schroeckingeryte and meta-uranopilite from Wałbrzych (Lower Silesia) |
Slovenia | |
| Dolenec (1985) |
Spain | |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
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Happy Jack Mine, White Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA