Belakovskiite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Mark Kucera
About Belakovskiite
Dmitriy Belakovskyi
Formula:
Na7(UO2)(SO4)4(SO3OH)(H2O)3
Colour:
Yellow green
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.953 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in 2013 by Anthony R. Kampf, Jakub Plášil, Anatoly V. Kasatkin, and Joseph Marty in honor of Dimitrii Ilyich Belakovskii (Дмитрий Ильич Белаковский) (b. 4 September 1957), mineralogist and curator of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Third uranyl hydrosulfate after meisserite and later discovered seaborgite. Further similarity to fermiite, klaprothite, natrozippeite, oppenheimerite, ottohahnite, péligotite, and plášilite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
45960
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:45960:0
IMA Classification of Belakovskiite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na7(U6+O2)(S6+O4)4(S6+O3OH)·3H2O
Approval year:
2013
First published:
2014
Classification of Belakovskiite
7.E0.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
0 :
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
0 :
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bkk | 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 Belakovskiite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.953 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Belakovskiite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.500 nβ = 1.511 nγ = 1.523
2V:
Measured: 87° , Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:
0.023
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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:
Low (negative)
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.
Optical Extinction:
X ~ a.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Belakovskiite
Mindat Formula:
Na7(UO2)(SO4)4(SO3OH)(H2O)3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Belakovskiite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.4581(3) Å, b = 11.3288(6) Å, c = 18.4163(13) Å
α = 104.786(7)°, β = 90.092(6)°, γ = 96.767(7)°
α = 104.786(7)°, β = 90.092(6)°, γ = 96.767(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.482 : 1 : 1.626
Unit Cell V:
1,092.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Hair-like fibers, elongated on [100] and slightly flattened on {021}.
Comment:
P1¯
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
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Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020475 | Belakovskiite | Kampf A R, Plasil J, Kasatkin A V, Marty J (2014) Belakovskiite, Na7(UO2)(SO4)4(SO3OH)(H2O)3, a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA Mineralogical Magazine 78 639-649 | 2014 | Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.96 Å | (35) |
| 8.46 Å | (29) |
| 5.19 Å | (100) |
| 4.66 Å | (58) |
| 3.568 Å | (37) |
| 3.057 Å | (59) |
| 2.930 Å | (27) |
| 1.832 Å | (29) |
Reference:
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Belakovskiite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Yellow green acicular crystals. Crystals of belakovskiite are very pale yellowish-green hair-like fibres up to 2 mm long and usually no more than a few μm in diameter. The fibres are elongated on [100] and slightly flattened on {021}.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue number 64055, and the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Sandstone/siltstone layers containing uraninite and secondary copper mineralssecodndary species.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Belakovskiite
Other Language Names for Belakovskiite
Dutch:Belakovskiiet
German:Belakovskiit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Belakovskiite associated with Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 2 photos of Belakovskiite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 1 photo of Belakovskiite associated with Sideronatrite | Na2Fe(SO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Belakovskiite associated with Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 1 photo of Belakovskiite associated with Ivsite | Na3H(SO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Belakovskiite associated with Bobcookite | NaAl(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.E0. | Běhounekite | U(SO4)2(H2O)4 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 24.6324% | 6,158,100 | 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:
Water soluble.
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 Belakovskiite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-45960.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 Belakovskiite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No 18. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (8) 3249-3258 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.8.15
Localities for Belakovskiite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) +2 other references |
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Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon Mining District, San Juan County, Utah, USA