Uranosphaerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Uranosphaerite
Formula:
Bi(UO2)O2(OH)
Colour:
Yellow-orange, reddish orange, brick red
Lustre:
Greasy
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.36
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From uranium plus Greek "sphaira", sphere, alluding to its composition and occurrence in ball-like masses.
This page provides mineralogical data about Uranosphaerite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4112
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4112:2
IMA Classification of Uranosphaerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Bi3+(U6+O2)O2(OH)
Classification of Uranosphaerite
4.GB.65
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
5.9.1.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
7.16.33
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Us | 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 Uranosphaerite
Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow-orange, reddish orange, brick red
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}.
On {100}.
Density:
6.36 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.731 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Uranosphaerite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.955 - 1.959 nβ = 1.981 - 1.985 nγ = 2.05 - 2.060
2V:
Measured: 56° , Calculated: 56°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.095 - 0.101
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:
strong: r < v
Chemistry of Uranosphaerite
Mindat Formula:
Bi(UO2)O2(OH)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Uranosphaerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.559(2) Å, b = 7.811(2) Å, c = 7.693(2) Å
β = 92.88(3)°
β = 92.88(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.968 : 1 : 0.985
Unit Cell V:
453.6 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Hemispherical aggregate forms comprised of minute, acutely terminated crystals elongated [001]. Concentric and radiated structures.
Comment:
Space Group: 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005845 | Uranosphaerite | Hughes K A, Burns P C, Kolitsch U (2003) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH The Canadian Mineralogist 41 677-685 |  | 2003 | Clara barite and fluorite mine, Black Forest, Germany | 0 | 293 |
| 0005846 | Uranosphaerite | Hughes K A, Burns P C, Kolitsch U (2003) Crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH The Canadian Mineralogist 41 677-685 | | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.16 Å | (10) |
| 1.83 Å | (8) |
| 3.87 Å | (7) |
| 5.25 Å | (6) |
| 3.47 Å | (6) |
| 1.90 Å | (5) |
| 4.37 Å | (4) |
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 Uranosphaerite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Uranosphaerite
Other Language Names for Uranosphaerite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 16 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 12 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 10 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Trögerite | (H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2O |
| 9 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Walpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Uranosphaerite associated with Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Uranosphaerite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
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.50 | Sayrite | Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.55 | Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 4.GB.60 | Iriginite | (UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2O |
| 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) | 45.0800% | 11,270,000 | 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 Uranosphaerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4112.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Uranosphaerite
Reference List:
Protas, Jean (1959) Contribution à l'étude des oxydes d'uranium hydratés. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 82 (7) 239-272 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1959.5335
Frondel, C., Klein, C. (1965) Ureyite, NaCrSi2O6: A New Meteoritic Pyroxene. Science, 149 (3685). 742-744 doi:10.1126/science.149.3685.742
Hughes, K.-A., Burns, P. C., Kolitsch, U. (2003) The crystal structure and crystal chemistry of uranosphaerite, Bi(UO2)O2OH. The Canadian Mineralogist, 41 (3) 677-685 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.41.3.677
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Sejkora, Jiří, Čejka, Jiří, Kolitsch, Uwe (2008) Uranosphaerite from Horní Halže near Měděnec (Krušné hory Mountains, Czech Republic): description and vibrational characteristics. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 185 (1) 91-98 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2008/0116
Localities for Uranosphaerite
Showing 23 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 | |
| D A Berkman (1968) |
| Coats & Blissett (1971) +1 other reference |
Belgium | |
| Jacques Jedwab collection |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Sejkora et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) +2 other references |
DR Congo | |
| Desor (03/21) |
France | |
| R. Pierrot |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) | |
Germany | |
| Kolitsch (1997) +2 other references |
| Carsten Slotta collection (confirmed by Jakub Plasil) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2003) |
| https://www.mineralienatlas.de/?l=46100 |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| A. Weisbach (1873) +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
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Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany