Thorutite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Thorutite
Formula:
(Th,U,Ca)Ti2(O,OH)6
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Resinous
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
5.82
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1958 by Ya. D. Gotman and I. A. Khapaev for its chemical composition: thorium (Thor), uranium (U) and titanium (Ti).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3951
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3951:8
IMA Classification of Thorutite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Th4+,U4+,Ca)Ti4+2(O,OH)6
First published:
1958
Classification of Thorutite
4.DH.05
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
8.3.4.2
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
3 : AB2O6
7.16.20
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Thu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Thu | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Thorutite
Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Pale brown
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.82 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Thorutite
Type:
Isotropic
Comments:
n = > 2.1
Chemistry of Thorutite
Mindat Formula:
(Th,U,Ca)Ti2(O,OH)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Thorutite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.822(5) Å, b = 3.824(2) Å, c = 7.036(5) Å
β = 118.84(5)°
β = 118.84(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.569 : 1 : 1.84
Unit Cell V:
231.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Monoclinic; always metamict. Point Group: 2, m, or 2/m. ; Space Group: C2, Cm, or C2/m (synthetic ThTi2O6).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0008221 | Thorutite | Mitchell R H, Chakhmouradian A R (1999) Solid solubility in the system NaLREETi2O6 - ThTi2O6 (LREE, light rare-earth elements): experimental and analytical data Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 26 396-405 | 1999 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.17 Å | (7) |
| 1.728 Å | (6) |
| 1.695 Å | (6) |
| 1.632 Å | (3) |
| 2.72 Å | (2) |
| 1.226 Å | (2) |
| 4.35 Å | (1.5) |
Comments:
after heating at 1000 °C.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Thorutite
General Appearance of Type Material:
short prismatic crystals, to 2 cm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
All-Union Research Institute of Mineral Resources, Moscow, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Thorutite
Other Language Names for Thorutite
Relationship of Thorutite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DH. | Cesiokenopyrochlore | ◻Nb2(O,OH)6(Cs,◻) |
| 4.DH. | Roméite Group | A2(Sb5+)2O6Z |
| 4.DH. | Oxyplumboroméite | Pb2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH. | Fluornatropyrochlore | (Na,Pb,Ca,REE,U)2Nb2O6F |
| 4.DH. | Hydroxykenomicrolite | (◻,Na,Sb3+)2Ta2O6(OH,Cs) |
| 4.DH. | 'Fluornatroroméite' | (Na,Ca)2Sb2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH. | Oxyyttrobetafite-(Y) | Y2Ti2O6O |
| 4.DH.05 | Orthobrannerite | U4+U6+Ti4O12(OH)2 |
| 4.DH.05 | Brannerite | UTi2O6 |
| 4.DH.10 | Kassite | CaTi2O4(OH)2 |
| 4.DH.10 | Lucasite-(La) | |
| 4.DH.10 | Lucasite-(Ce) | CeTi2(O,OH)6 |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorhydropyrochlore' | |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenoelsmoreite | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Hydroxynatromicrolite' | (Na,Bi3+,◻)2Ta2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroplumboelsmoreite | (Pb,◻)(W,Fe3+)2O6 · H2O |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydropyrochlore | (H2O,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Hydroxymanganopyrochlor)' | (Mn,Ca,Y)2(Sb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxynatropyrochlore | (Na,Ca,Ce)2Nb2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenopyrochlore | (◻,x)2Nb2O6(H2O,Cs) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxybismutomicrolite | (Bi1.33◻0.67)Σ2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Kenomicrolite | ◻2Ta2[O4(OH)2]◻ |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluornatromicrolite | (Na1.5Bi0.5)Ta2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxynatropyrochlore' | (Na,Ca,U)2Nb2O6(O,OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxycalciopyrochlore | (Ca,Na,U,◻)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluorcalciopyrochlore | (Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxycalciopyrochlore | Ca2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorstrontiopyrochlore' | (Sr,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxyplumbopyrochlore | Pb2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorplumbopyrochlore' | (Pb,Y,Th,U,Na,Ca)2-x(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Bismutomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Bismutopyrochlore (of Chukanov et al.)' | (Bi,Ca,U,Pb)2-xNb2(O,OH)6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Kenoplumbopyrochlore' | (Pb,◻)Nb2O6(◻,O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxyplumbopyrochlore | (Pb1.5◻0.5)Nb2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Stibiomicrolite (of Groat et al.)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxyyttropyrochlore-(Y)' | (Y,◻)2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorkenopyrochlore' | (◻,Sr,Ce,Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxycalciomicrolite | Ca1.5Ta2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Strontiopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)' | (Sr,Ce,Ca)0.66(Nb,Fe)2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.15 va | 'Alumotungstite' | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxycalciobetafite' | Ca2(Ti,Nb)2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxyuranobetafite' | (U,Ca,◻)2(Ti,Nb)2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluorcalciomicrolite | (Ca,Na)2(Ta,Nb)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxycalciomicrolite | Ca2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxystannomicrolite | Sn2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Kenoplumbomicrolite | (Pb,◻)2Ta2O6(◻,OH,O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxynatromicrolite | (Na,Ca,U)2(Ta,Nb)2O6(O,F) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxystibiomicrolite | (Sb3+,Ca)2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Hydromicrolite' | (H2O,◻)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Plumbomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenomicrolite | (◻,H2O)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxykenoelsmoreite | (◻,Pb)2(W,Fe3+,Al)2(O,OH)6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 va | 'Yttromicrolite (of Hogarth)' | (Ca,Y3+,U,Na)2-x(Ta,Nb,Ti,Fe3+)2O7 |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxykenopyrochlore | (◻,Ce,Ba)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH,F) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxymanganopyrochlore | (Mn2+,Th,Na,Ca,REE)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | 'Cuproroméite' | Cu2Sb2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.20 | Hydroxycalcioroméite | (Ca,Sb3+)2(Sb5+,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Bindheimite | Pb2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH.20 | Hydroxyferroroméite | (Fe2+1.5◻0.5)Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Fluorcalcioroméite | (Ca,Na,◻)2Sb5+2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH.20 | Oxycalcioroméite | Ca2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH.20 | Stetefeldtite | Ag2Sb2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.20 | Stibiconite | Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Monimolite | Pb2Sb5+2O7 |
| 4.DH.25 | Rosiaite | PbSb5+2O6 |
| 4.DH.30 | Stefanweissite | (Ca,REE)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14 |
| 4.DH.30 | Zirconolite | CaZrTi2O7 |
| 4.DH.30 | Laachite | (Ca,Mn)2Zr2Nb2TiFeO14 |
| 4.DH.30 | Nöggerathite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14 |
| 4.DH.35 | Liandratite | U(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DH.35 | Petscheckite | UFe(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DH.40 | Ingersonite | Ca3Mn2+Sb5+4O14 |
| 4.DH.45 | Pittongite | Na0.22(W,Fe3+)(O,OH)3 · 0.44H2O |
| 4.DH.50 | Tazzoliite | Ba4-xNaxTi2Nb3SiO17[PO2(OH)2]x(OH)(1-2x) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 54.7559% | 2,190,236 | 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
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 Thorutite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3951.html
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References for Thorutite
Reference List:
Baran, E. J., Cabello, C. I., Nord, A. G. (1987) Raman spectra of some MIIV2O6 brannerite-type metavanadates. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 18 (6). 405-407 doi:10.1002/jrs.1250180606
Localities for Thorutite
Showing 18 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.
Angola | |
| Amores-Casals et al. (2019) |
Australia | |
| |
Brazil | |
| |
Canada | |
| Canadian Museum of Nature collection |
China | |
| Teng et al. (2025) |
India | |
| Baidya et al. (2) +1 other reference |
Indonesia | |
| Sukadana et al. (2022) |
Kyrgyzstan (TL) | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) +3 other references |
Mexico | |
| Prol-Ledesma et al. (2012) |
Myanmar | |
| Heo et al. (2020) |
Namibia | |
| Rio Tinto Group |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2013) |
Russia | |
| Alekseev (2025) |
| Chakhmouradian et al. (1999) |
South Korea | |
| 조남후 et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Sri Lanka | |
| de Hoog et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| King |
| Analysis by Ing. P. Ondrush & Dr. F. ... +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout ThorutiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Severnyi area, Zardalek alkaline massif, Sokh Valley, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan