Uvanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Uvanite
Formula:
U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?)
Colour:
Brown-yellow; pale brown in transmitted light
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
In allusion to its composition, containing Uranium and VANadium.
Type Locality:
A secondary mineral occurring in asphaltic sandstone in a Colorado Plateau-type uranium deposit.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4124
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4124:5
Similar Names
| Uranite | A synonym of 'Uranium Mica' | |
| Yvonite | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
IMA Classification of Uvanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
U6+2V5+6O21·15H2O
Classification of Uvanite
4.HB.35
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
47.4.5.1
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
4 : Vanadium Bronzes
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
4 : Vanadium Bronzes
21.4.1
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Uvn | 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 Uvanite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brown-yellow; pale brown in transmitted light
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Two directions, pinacoidal.
Two directions, pinacoidal.
Optical Data of Uvanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.817 nβ = 1.879 nγ = 2.057
2V:
Measured: 52°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.240
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:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Light brown Y = Dark Brown Z = Greenish yellow
Chemistry of Uvanite
Mindat Formula:
U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?)
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Uvanite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Morphology:
Minutely crystalline coatings and massive.
Comment:
Crystal system probable; space group and Z not determined.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.9 Å | (6) |
| 4.6 Å | (4) |
| 2.94 Å | (10) |
| 2.24 Å | (8) |
| 1.71 Å | (9) |
| 1.637 Å | (4) |
| 1.484 Å | (7) |
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] |
Type Occurrence of Uvanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystalline coatings and massive
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: #62753. U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: #87512, R5708.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Shinarump asphaltic sandstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Uvanite
Common Associates
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.25 | Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O |
| 4.HB.30 | Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.40 | Rauvite | Ca(UO2)2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
| 4.HB.45 | Vandermeerscheite | K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Other Information
Notes:
Insoluble in water. Soluble in ammonium carbonate solution.
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 Uvanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4124.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Uvanite
Localities for Uvanite
Showing 14 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.
Argentina | |
| Sureda |
China | |
| National Geological Archives of China ... |
Slovenia | |
| Dolenec (1985) |
Spain | |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| John H. Betts (2009) |
| Barton et al. (2018) | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Hess et al. (1914) +2 other references | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Bullock (1981) | |
| Kampf et al. (2025) |
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Monument No. 2 Mine, Monument No. 2 channel, Yazzie Mesa, Cane Valley Mining District, Apache County, Arizona, USA