Rabejacite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Rabejacite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O
Colour:
Bright to amber yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
4.325 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after its discovery locality.
Type Locality:
Plášil et al. (2014) also describe a Cu-rich variety in which there is an additional Cu2+ site located in between pairs of Ca polyhedra.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3348
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3348:6
IMA Classification of Rabejacite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca2(U6+O2)4O4(S6+O4)2·8H2O
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1993
Classification of Rabejacite
7.EC.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
31.6.8.1
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
31 : HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rbj | 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 Rabejacite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Bright to amber yellow
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Density:
4.325 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured > 4.1
Optical Data of Rabejacite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.617 nβ = 1.71(2) nγ = 1.758(2)
2V:
Measured: 68° , Calculated: 68°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.141
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.
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.
Dispersion:
r > v weak
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y and Z ⊥ [001].
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Y= very pale yellow
Z= sulfur yellow
Z= sulfur yellow
Chemistry of Rabejacite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Rabejacite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.7434(11) Å, b = 8.309(3) Å, c = 8.8693(10) Å
α = 77.86(2)°, β = 104.635(11)°, γ = 82.935(18)°
α = 77.86(2)°, β = 104.635(11)°, γ = 82.935(18)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.052 : 1 : 1.067
Unit Cell V:
598.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Flattened crysyals or acicular. Rosettes, rounded nodules, crusts.
Comment:
Originally given cell is orthorhombic, with a = 8.73, b = 17.09, c = 15.72 Å (Z = 4).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.90 Å | (100) |
| 4.17 Å | (30) |
| 3.98 Å | (40) |
| 3.49 Å | (80) |
| 3.38 Å | (70) |
| 2.844 Å | (30 broad) |
| 2.163 Å | (15) |
Comments:
Rabejac deposit, France. The data are from the type description.
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] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of deposits containing uraninite.
Type Occurrence of Rabejacite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Acicular crystals, flattened tablets on {001} to 0.1 mm, or rounded nodules to 0.3 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels RC4409, RC4410.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral. Oxidation zone of uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Rabejacite
Other Language Names for Rabejacite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Rabejacite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Rabejacite associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Rabejacite associated with Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Deliensite | Fe[(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2](H2O)7 |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Johannite | Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Rabejacite associated with Jáchymovite | (UO2)8(SO4)(OH)14 · 13H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.55 | Geschieberite | K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 62.5384% | 15,634,600 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Fluorescence of Rabejacite
Pale yellow under SW and LW 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 Rabejacite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3348.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Rabejacite
Reference List:
Deliens, Michel, Piret, Paul (1993) La rabejacite, Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6·6H2O, nouveau sulfate d'uranyle et de calcium des gites du Lodévois, Hérault, France. European Journal of Mineralogy, 5 (5) 873-877 doi:10.1127/ejm/5/5/0873
Jambor, John L., Roberts, Andrew C., Puziewicz, Jacek (1994) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 79 (5-6) 570-574
Frost, Ray L., Henry, Dermot A., Erickson, Kristy (2004) Raman spectroscopic detection of wyartite in the presence of rabejacite. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 35 (4). 255-260 doi:10.1002/jrs.1144
Localities for Rabejacite
Showing 20 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.
Australia | |
| Frost et al. (2004) |
| Frost et al. (2004) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Möhn et al. (12/2021) | |
| Tvrdý et al. (2010) | |
| Plášil et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
| Desor (04/2022) |
| Tschechien & Slowakei |
| Petr Pauliš |
France (TL) | |
| Deliens et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Henriot et al. (1998) |
| - (1998) | |
Italy | |
| Campostrini et al. (2006) |
Poland | |
| Syczewski et al. (2023) |
Spain | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
| Foro FMF Collection +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +2 other references |
USA | |
| McCollam (2002) |
| McCollam (2002) |
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Rabejac Est, Le Puech, Lodève, Hérault, Occitanie, France