Vandendriesscheite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Vandendriesscheite
Adriaan Vandendriessche
Formula:
PbU7O22 · 12H2O
Colour:
Orange to amber-brown
Lustre:
Waxy
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
5.45 - 5.46
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Adrien Vandendriessche (born Menen, Belgium on January 13 th 1914 and was killed as a soldier in WWII on May 27th 1940), professor of geology and mineralogy, University of Ghent (Belgium).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4145
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4145:0
IMA Classification of Vandendriesscheite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+1.6(U6+O2)10O6(OH)11·11H2O
First published:
1947
Classification of Vandendriesscheite
4.GB.40
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
5.8.1.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
8 : AX7O22·xH2O
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
8 : AX7O22·xH2O
7.16.28
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vdd | 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 Vandendriesscheite
Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Orange to amber-brown
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
5.45 - 5.46 g/cm3 (Measured) 5.86 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Vandendriesscheite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.78 nβ = 1.85 nγ = 1.86
2V:
Measured: 60° , Calculated: 40°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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 distinct
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = nearly colorless; Y = Z = yellow-orange to
golden yellow
golden yellow
Chemistry of Vandendriesscheite
Mindat Formula:
PbU7O22 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Vandendriesscheite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.116(6) Å, b = 41.3'7(2) Å, c = 14.534(6) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.342 : 1 : 0.352
Unit Cell V:
8,473.19 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001951 | Vandendriesscheite | Burns P C (1997) A new uranyl oxide hydrate sheet in vandendriesscheite: Implications for mineral paragenesis and the corrosion of spent nuclear fuel American Mineralogist 82 1176-1186 |  | 1997 | Shinkolobwe (Congo) | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.18 Å | (80) |
| 3.61 Å | (60) |
| 3.54 Å | (50) |
| 3.19 Å | (100) |
| 2.539 Å | (30) |
| 2.001 Å | (30) |
| 1.784 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Shinkolobwe mine (Kasolo Mine), DR Congo. Data are from Delien (1977). Earlier data sets are also tabulated.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 27 : Radioactive decay; auto-oxidation | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Oxidation zone of uranium deposits
Type Occurrence of Vandendriesscheite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 106523
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Vandendriesscheite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 40 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 27 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 21 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 16 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 11 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 9 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Paulscherrerite | UO2(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| 6 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 6 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Vandendriesscheite associated with Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
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 | 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.65 | Uranosphaerite | Bi(UO2)O2(OH) |
| 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) | 68.2430% | 17,060,750 | 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 Vandendriesscheite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4145.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 Vandendriesscheite
Reference List:
Christ, C. L., Clark, J. R. (1960) Crystal chemical studies of some uranyl oxide hydrates. American Mineralogist, 45 (9-10) 1026-1061
Localities for Vandendriesscheite
Showing 68 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 | |
| Linares |
Australia | |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
| Waite & Payne (1993) |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
Austria | |
| Strasser (1989) |
Canada | |
| Peatfield (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Rich et al. (1977) |
| data.geology.gov.yk.ca (n.d.) |
China | |
| Wang (1992) |
| Zhu et al. (2019) |
Czech Republic | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Möhn et al. (12/2021) | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Anderson (1978) +2 other references |
| Arliguie M collection |
France | |
| Meisser (2012) |
| |
| J. Chervet et G. Branche : ... +1 other reference | |
| |
| Bariand et al. (1993) +2 other references |
| Collection Frédéric Bonnet |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| S Wolfsried collection |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Zsombor Eva Collection |
Italy | |
| Probed Milan University 2006 |
| Campostrini et al. (2005) |
Norway | |
| Åmli (1969) |
Slovakia | |
| Ferenc et al. (2018) |
| Števko M. (2022) |
Spain | |
| mineralsabella.blogspot.de (n.d.) |
Sweden | |
| MinMag 46 |
| Welin (1965) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Meisser (2012) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Meisser (2012) | |
Tanzania | |
| |
UK | |
| Elton et al. (1995) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Knight (1978) +1 other reference | |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Korzeb +3 other references |
| Segeler et al. (1981) |
| Rocks & Minerals 80:4 pp234-241 +1 other reference |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Frondel (1956) |
| Frondel (1956) |
| Frondel (1956) | |
| Frondel (1958) | |
| Frondel (1958) |
| Montgomery (Jan & May, 1970) +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Rocks & Min.:10:147 & 60:112 |
| Bullock (1981) |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo