Tyuyamunite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Tyuyamunite
Formula:
Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Colour:
Canary yellow, lemon-yellow; greenish yellow (upon exposure to sunlight); colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Resinous, Waxy, Pearly, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
1½ - 2
Specific Gravity:
3.57 - 4.35
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1912 by Konstantin Avtonomovich Nenadkevič after its discovery locality, Tyuya-Muyun, Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Carnotite Group.
A secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of U-V deposits, especially those of the Colorado Plateau-type.
Visually indistinguishable from metatyuyamunite and other uranyl vanadates. Tyuyamunite easily dehydrates in dry atmosphere to metatyuyamunite and the original chemical analysis corresponds to metatyuyamunite.
A secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of U-V deposits, especially those of the Colorado Plateau-type.
Visually indistinguishable from metatyuyamunite and other uranyl vanadates. Tyuyamunite easily dehydrates in dry atmosphere to metatyuyamunite and the original chemical analysis corresponds to metatyuyamunite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4072
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4072:9
Classification of Tyuyamunite
Francevillite sheet topology
The sheet topology found in minerals of the carnotite group.
IMA Classification of Tyuyamunite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca(U6+O2)2(V5+O4)2·5-8H2O
First published:
1912
Type description reference:
4.HB.25
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
40.2a.26.1
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+
21.4.8
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
4 : Vanadates of U, Mn, Fe or Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyu | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Tyu | 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 Tyuyamunite
Resinous, Waxy, Pearly, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage {001}, waxy or dull when massive.
Colour:
Canary yellow, lemon-yellow; greenish yellow (upon exposure to sunlight); colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Hardness:
1½ - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, micaceous; distinct on {100} & {010}.
Perfect on {001}, micaceous; distinct on {100} & {010}.
Fracture:
Micaceous
Density:
3.57 - 4.35 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.59 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tyuyamunite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.675 nβ = 1.860 - 1.870 nγ = 1.885 - 1.895
2V:
Measured: 30° to 45°, Calculated: 34°
Birefringence:
0.210
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.210 - 0.220
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:
none
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = Nearly colourless
Y = Pale canary yellow
Z = Canary yellow
Y = Pale canary yellow
Z = Canary yellow
Chemistry of Tyuyamunite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tyuyamunite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnna
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.63 Å, b = 8.36 Å, c = 16.96 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.272 : 1 : 2.029
Unit Cell V:
1,507.18 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals elongated, platy, flattened on {001}, elongated [010], with {010}, {110}, and several other forms; may be curved or scaly. Also occurs as fanlike or radial aggregates, as thin films, coatings, powdery, and compact to cryptocrystalline massive impregnations.
Comment:
Pnan (Strunz and Nickel, 2001)
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.18 Å | (100) |
| 6.62 Å | (30) |
| 5.02 Å | (90) |
| 3.37 Å | (30) |
| 3.20 Å | (50) |
| 3.12 Å | (30) |
| 2.04 Å | (40) |
Comments:
natural, Hudspeth Co., Texas, USA
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidized zone Colorado Plateau uranium deposits
Type Occurrence of Tyuyamunite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Veinlet fillings, disseminated in the limestone or as fillings in karst caverns.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia: #3575 through 3577.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Carboniferous limestone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tyuyamunite
Other Language Names for Tyuyamunite
Dutch:Tyuyamuniet
Simplified Chinese:钒钙铀矿
Spanish:Tjujamunita
Tuyamunita
Tyuyamunita
Tuyamunita
Tyuyamunita
Traditional Chinese:釩鈣鈾礦
Relationship of Tyuyamunite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Carnotite Group:
| Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O | Tric. |
| Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O | Orth. |
| Vanuralite | Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 59 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 37 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Volborthite | Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 34 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 24 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O |
| 16 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 15 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 15 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Kazakhstanite | Fe3+5V4+3V5+12O39(OH)9 · 9H2O |
| 14 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 14 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Tyuyamunite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HB.X | Spanoite | Tl2[(UO2)2(V2O8)] |
| 4.HB.05 | Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O |
| 4.HB.05 | Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.10 | Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Francevillite | Ba(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Fritzscheite | Mn2+(UO2)2(VO4,PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Curienite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Finchite | Sr(UO2)2(V2O8) · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Vanuralite | Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.30 | Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.35 | Uvanite | U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.40 | Rauvite | Ca(UO2)2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HB.45 | Vandermeerscheite | K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 52.8901% | 13,222,525 | 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 Tyuyamunite
Weakly to not fluorescent yellow-green in UV, although may be intergrown with bright fluorescent species
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
Weak yellow-green at times (UV).
Notes:
Radioactive. The water content is partly zeolitic and varies markedly with humidity at ambient temperatures. Insoluble in dilute acetic acid; soluble in HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4.
Health Risks:
Contains uranium - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Internet Links for Tyuyamunite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4072.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Tyuyamunite
Reference List:
Spencer, L. J. (1913) A (sixth) list of new mineral names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 16 (77) 352-378 doi:10.1180/minmag.1913.016.77.09
Hillebrand, F. W. and Merwin, H. E. (1913) Two Varieties of Calciovolborthite (?) from Eastern Utah. American Journal of Science 35, 441-445.(as calciocarnotite)
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.148
Chirvinsky, Petr N., Чирвиский, П. Н. (1925) Tyuyamunite from the Tyuya-Muyun radium mine in Fergana. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 20 (108) 287-295 doi:10.1180/minmag.1925.020.108.03
Frondel, Clifford (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.248-253
Localities for Tyuyamunite
Showing 735 localities.
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The Locality List
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All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Marie Mine, Pryor Mountains, Carbon County, Montana, USA