Sayrite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Sayrite
David Sayre
Formula:
Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O
structural formula: Pb2(H2[4]O)4[(UO2)5O6(OH)2
Colour:
Yellow-orange to red-orange
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
6.76 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after David Sayre (2 March 1924, New York, New York, USA - 23 February 2012, Ashland, Oregon, USA), crystallographer, IBM Corporation, USA. The Sayre equation, used in crystallography, is named after him. He was also part of the initial team that created the FORTRAN programming language.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sayrite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3545
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3545:9
Similar Names
| Cerite | A synonym | |
| Cerite-(CeCa) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| Cerite-(La) | A synonym of Ferricerite-(LaCa) | |
| Surite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| Zaïrite | A valid IMA mineral species | BiFe33+(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| Zorite | A valid IMA mineral species | Na8(Ti,Nb)5(Si6O17)2(OH,O)5 · 14H2O |
IMA Classification of Sayrite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+2(U6+O2)5O6(OH)2·4H2O
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1983
Type description reference:
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel, Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel (1983) La sayrite, (Pb2[(UO2)5O6(OH)2]·4H2O, nouveau minéral ; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 106 (3) 299-304 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1983.7709
Classification of Sayrite
4.GB.50
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
5.9.6.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
7.16.30
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Syr | 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 Sayrite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Sayrite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-orange to red-orange
Hardness:
VHN100=150 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
distinct {102}
distinct {102}
Density:
6.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sayrite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Dispersion:
relatively weak
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Y pale yellow, Z amber
Comments:
Refractive index along α was not measurable
2V was 'large'
X ~ a, Y = b, Z ~ c
2V was 'large'
X ~ a, Y = b, Z ~ c
Chemistry of Sayrite
Mindat Formula:
Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O
structural formula: Pb2(H2[4]O)4[(UO2)5O6(OH)2
structural formula: Pb2(H2[4]O)4[(UO2)5O6(OH)2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sayrite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.6925(4) Å, b = 6.9593(2) Å, c = 13.6035(5) Å
β = 107.680(3)°
β = 107.680(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.536 : 1 : 1.955
Unit Cell V:
964.46 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Prismatic crystals elongated along b and flattened on {102}
Comment:
space group is P21/n
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012080 | Sayrite | Piret P, Deliens M, Piret-Meunier J, Germain G (1983) La sayrite, Pb2[(UO2)5O6(OH)2]*4H2O, nouveau mineral; proprietes et structure cristalline Bulletin de Mineralogie 106 299-304 | 1983 | Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.01 Å | (80) |
| 5.67 Å | (50) |
| 3.512 Å | (90) |
| 3.426 Å | (40) |
| 3.113 Å | (100) |
| 3.052 Å | (70) |
| 1.955 Å | (50) |
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 Sayrite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow-orange to red-orange, prismatic crystals with maximum size 0.6 x 0.3 x 0.1 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Museum of Central Africa, Tervaren, Belgium
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Uranium deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel, Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel (1983) La sayrite, (Pb2[(UO2)5O6(OH)2]·4H2O, nouveau minéral ; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 106 (3) 299-304 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1983.7709
Synonyms of Sayrite
Other Language Names for Sayrite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Sayrite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 4 photos of Sayrite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 3 photos of Sayrite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 2 photos of Sayrite associated with Masuyite | Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Sayrite associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.GB.05 | Rameauite | K2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Agrinierite | K2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Compreignacite | K2(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 7H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Protasite | Ba(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.15 | Richetite | (Fe3+,Mg)Pb 8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24 · 41H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Calciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb)U2O7 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Bauranoite | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Metacalciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb,K2)U2O7 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.25 | Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.30 | Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.35 | Masuyite | Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.40 | Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.40 | Metavandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · nH2O n < 12 |
| 4.GB.45 | Vandenbrandeite | Cu(UO2)(OH)4 |
| 4.GB.55 | Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 4.GB.60 | Iriginite | (UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.65 | Uranosphaerite | Bi(UO2)O2(OH) |
| 4.GB.70 | Holfertite | CaxU6+2-xTi(O8-xOH4x) · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.75 | Carlosbarbosaite | (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.80 | Gauthierite | KPb[(UO2)7O5(OH)7] · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.85 | Kroupaite | KPb0.5[(UO2)8O4(OH)10] · 10H2O |
| 4.GB.90 | Leesite | K(H2O)2[(UO2)4O2(OH)5] · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.95 | Shinkolobweite | Pb1.333[U5+O(OH)(UO2)5O4.67(OH)5.33](H2O)5 |
| 4.GB.95 | Nollmotzite | Mg[U5+(U6+O2)2O4F3] · 4H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 60.5175% | 15,129,375 | 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
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
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 Sayrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3545.html
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References for Sayrite
Reference List:
Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel, Piret, Paul, Deliens, Michel, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline, Germain, Gabriel (1983) La sayrite, (Pb2[(UO2)5O6(OH)2]·4H2O, nouveau minéral ; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 106 (3) 299-304 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1983.7709
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
Localities for Sayrite
Showing 6 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.
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Minéralogie (3) +2 other references |
Egypt | |
| Sallam (2020) |
Finland | |
| Al-Ani et al. (2011) +2 other references |
| Al Ani |
| Al-Ani et al. (2011) |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo