Ulrichite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Ulrichite
George H.F. Ulrich
Formula:
CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Apple-green, lime-green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.71 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of George (Georg) Henry (Heinrich) Frederick (Friedrich) Ulrich (7 July 1830, Zellerfeld, Germany – 26 May 1900, Flagstaff Point, New Zealand), for his contributions to the mineralogy of Victoria, Australia. He was a geologist and lecturer in mining at the University of Melbourne. He was also curator of the mineral collection at the Industrial and Technological Museum in Melbourne. He also played a significant role in the establishment of the Mount Bischoff tin mine in Tasmania, and the appointment of its manager of 30 years, H. W. F. Kayser. He died while examining rock specimens on Flagstaff Point, Port Chalmers near Dunedin, when he fell 100 feet (ca. 30 m).
This page provides mineralogical data about Ulrichite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4088
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4088:0
Similar Names
| Ulrichite (of Kirsch) | A synonym of Uraninite |
IMA Classification of Ulrichite
Approved
IMA Formula:
CaCu2+(U6+O2)(PO4)2·4H2O
Approval year:
1988
First published:
1988
Classification of Ulrichite
8.EA.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
40.2a.30.1
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+
19.11.19
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ulr | 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 Ulrichite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Apple-green, lime-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Density:
3.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ulrichite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.622(2) nγ = 1.634(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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:
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 (90°) 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 (90°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v to r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Parallel extinction, length slow
Chemistry of Ulrichite
Mindat Formula:
CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ulrichite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.79(3) Å, b = 6.85(2) Å, c = 13.02(3) Å
β = 91.03(7)°
β = 91.03(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.867 : 1 : 1.901
Unit Cell V:
1,140.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Sometimes as flat prisms with complex terminations
Twinning:
On {100} common
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014560 | Ulrichite | Kolitsch U, Giester G (2001) Revision of the crystal structure of ulrichite, CaCu2+(UO2)(PO4)2*4(H2O) Mineralogical Magazine 65 717-724 |  | 2001 | Lake Boga, near Swan Hill, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 |
| 0012062 | Ulrichite | Birch W D, Mumme W G, Segnit E R (1988) Ulrichite: a new copper calcium uranium phosphate from Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia Australian Mineralogist 3 125-131 | 1988 | Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.389 Å | (100) |
| 5.602 Å | (14) |
| 4.498 Å | (15) |
| 3.480 Å | (14) |
| 3.193 Å | (45) |
| 2.879 Å | (20) |
| 2.373 Å | (15) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Ulrichite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radiating sprays of apple-green to lime-green acicular crystals up to 1 mm long and 0.05 mm thick, also as flat prisms with complex pyramidal terminations.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogy Department, Museum of Victoria, Australia, M38576.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Miarolitic cavities in pegmatoidal granite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ulrichite
Other Language Names for Ulrichite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Ulrichite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Ulrichite associated with Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
| 5 photos of Ulrichite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with 'Opal-AN' | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with 'Smoky Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Ulrichite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EA.05 | Phosphowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.05 | Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.05 | Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Hallimondite | Pb2(UO2)(AsO4)2 · nH2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Parsonsite | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 |
| 8.EA.20 | Lakebogaite | CaNaFe3+2H(UO2)2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 37.4462% | 9,361,550 | 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 Ulrichite
Nonfluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in dilute HCl and HNO3.
Radioactive.
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 Ulrichite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4088.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ulrichite
Reference List:
Kolitsch, U., Giester, G. (2001) Revision of the crystal structure of ulrichite, CaCu2+(UO2)(PO4)2·4H2O. Mineralogical Magazine, 65 (6) 717-724 doi:10.1180/0026461016560003
Localities for Ulrichite
Showing 1 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 (TL) | |
| Birch et al. (1988) +4 other references |
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Lake Boga granite quarry, Lake Boga, Swan Hill Rural City, Victoria, Australia