Geschieberite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Geschieberite
Formula:
K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
Bright green
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.259 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The mineral is named for one of the most important ore veins in Jáchymov – the Geschieber vein.
A secondary alteration phase after uraninite.
Known synthetic analogue.
Known synthetic analogue.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46101
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46101:2
IMA Classification of Geschieberite
Classification of Geschieberite
7.EC.55
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gsb | 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 Geschieberite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Bright green
Streak:
Greenish-white
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
~2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {100}
on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.259 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Geschieberite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
Optical Extinction:
X = a.
Chemistry of Geschieberite
Mindat Formula:
K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Geschieberite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pna21
Setting:
Pna21
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.7778(3) Å, b = 7.2709(4) Å, c = 11.5488(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.895 : 1 : 1.588
Unit Cell V:
1156.92 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Aggregates composed of multiply intergrown prismatic crystals elongated on [001]. Forms observed are {010} and {001}.
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
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0020741 | Geschieberite | Plasil J, Hlousek J, Kasatkin A V, Skoda R, Novak M, Cejka J (2015) Geschieberite, K2(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)2, a new uranyl sulfate mineral from Jachymov Mineralogical Magazine 79 205-216 | 2015 | Svornost mine, Jachymov, Czech Republic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020465 | Geschieberite | Alekseev E V, Suleimanov E V, Chuprunov E V, Marychev M O, Ivanov V A, Fukin G K (2006) Crystal structure and nonlinear optical properties of the K2UO2(SO4)2*2H2O compound at 293 K Crystallography Reports 51 29-33 | 2006 | Synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0020637 | Geschieberite | Niinisto L, Toivonen J, Valkonen J (1979) Uranyl(VI) compounds. II. The crystal structure of potassium uranyl sulfate dihydrate, K2UO2(SO4)2*2H2O Acta Chemica Scandinavica A33 621-624 | 1979 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.882 Å | (100) |
| 5.622 Å | (53) |
| 4.589 Å | (12) |
| 4.428 Å | (16) |
| 3.681 Å | (18) |
| 3.304 Å | (15) |
| 3.079 Å | (14) |
| 3.006 Å | (17) |
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 Geschieberite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystalline aggregates of bright green colour.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4537/1.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Geschieberite
Other Language Names for Geschieberite
Dutch:Geschieberiet
German:Geschieberit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Oldsite-(K) | K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Rabejacite | Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 41.2972% | 10,324,300 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 13.5668% | 4,206 | 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 Geschieberite
Strong yellowish-green fluorescence under both shortwave and longwave UV.
Other Information
Notes:
Slightly soluble in cold H2O.
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 Geschieberite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46101.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Geschieberite
Reference List:
Niinistö, Lauri, Toivonen, Jukka, Valkonen, Jussi, Olofsson, G., Sokolov, V. B., Spiridonov, V. P., Strand, T. G. (1979) Uranyl(VI) Compounds. II. The Crystal Structure of Potassium Uranyl Sulfate Dihydrate, K2UO2(SO4)2.2H2O. Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 33. 621-624 doi:10.3891/acta.chem.scand.33a-0621
Alekseev, E. V., Suleĭmanov, E. V., Chuprunov, E. V., Marychev, M. O., Ivanov, V. A., Fukin, G. K. (2006) Crystal structure and nonlinear optical properties of the K2UO2(SO4)2 · 2H2O compound at 293 K. Crystallography Reports, 51 (1) 29-33 doi:10.1134/s1063774506010068
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2014) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2014, CNMNC Newsletter No 20. Mineralogical Magazine, 78 (3) 549-558 doi:10.1180/minmag.2014.078.3.05
Plášil, J., Hloušek, J., Kasatkin, A. V., Škoda, R., Novák, M., Čejka, J. (2015) Geschieberite, K2(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)2, a new uranyl sulfate mineral from Jáchymov. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (1) 205-216 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.1.16
Localities for Geschieberite
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.
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout GeschieberiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Geschieber vein, Svornost Mine, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic