Renardite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable
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About Renardite
Alphonse François Renard
Formula:
Pb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4 · H2O
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Greasy
Specific Gravity:
4.0
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Alphonse François Renard (28 September 1842, Ronse, Belgium - 9 July 1903, Elsene, Belgium), geologist and petrographer at the University of Ghent, Belgium. Among other things, he studied samples from the seabed, collected from the Challenger Expedition.
Described as a new species from Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo by Schoep (1928). Later, Deliens et al. (1990) argued that it was a mixture of dewindtite and phosphuranylite. Sejkora et al. (2003) investigated specimens from Rýžoviště, Haarachov, Böhmen, Czech Republic and concluded that renardite is a valid species. However, further investigations are needed. Currently (2015), the species is listed by IMA as approved, but questionable, with a formula different from that of dewindtite.
The crystals of renardite described from Shinkolobwe resemble dewindite (Schoep, 1928).
The crystals of renardite described from Shinkolobwe resemble dewindite (Schoep, 1928).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
5219
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:5219:7
IMA Classification of Renardite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959), Questionable
IMA Formula:
Pb2+(U6+O2)4(PO4)2(OH)4·7H2O
First published:
1928
Classification of Renardite
8.EC.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
C : UO2:RO4 = 3:2
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rnd | 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 Renardite
Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to (100)
Parallel to (100)
Density:
4.0 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.34 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
A little more than 4.0
Chemistry of Renardite
Mindat Formula:
Pb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4 · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Renardite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.01 Å, b = 17.5 Å, c = 13.7 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.915 : 1 : 0.783
Unit Cell V:
3,838.40 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Platy, rectangular prismatic crystals parallel to (100), with a rhombic appearance.
The largest crystal described by Schoep (1928) measured 1.0 x 0.35 x 0.07 mm.
The largest crystal described by Schoep (1928) measured 1.0 x 0.35 x 0.07 mm.
Comment:
Point group : n.d.; Space Group n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.25 Å | (5) |
| 7.95 Å | (10) |
| 5.86 Å | (6) |
| 4.43 Å | (6) |
| 3.96 Å | (7) |
| 3.40 Å | (4) |
| 3.11 Å | (9) |
| 2.88 Å | (8) |
| 1.896 Å | (3) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Other Language Names for Renardite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Renardite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Renardite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Renardite associated with Curite | Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2 |
| 1 photo of Renardite associated with Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Renardite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EC.05 | Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.05 | Françoisite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.05 | Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.05 | Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 |
| 8.EC.10 | Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Phosphuranylite | KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Arsenuranylite | Ca(UO2)4(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | 'Kivuite' | Th(UO2)4(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.10 | Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O |
| 8.EC.15 | Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EC.15 | Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Arsenovanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(AsO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O |
| 8.EC.20 | Metavanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.EC.25 | Althupite | AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O |
| 8.EC.30 | Mundite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5.5H2O |
| 8.EC.35 | Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O |
| 8.EC.40 | Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 60.9043% | 15,226,075 | 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
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 Renardite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-5219.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Renardite
Localities for Renardite
Showing 12 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 | |
| Giblin (2005) |
| Henry et al. (1999) |
DR Congo | |
| Schoep (1928) +1 other reference |
Egypt | |
| El Aref et al. (2020) |
France | |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection |
| OLLIC Pascal Collection +2 other references |
| Lukas (1978) |
Greece | |
| Pergamalis et al. (2010) |
Peru | |
| Li (2016) |
Russia | |
| Eremin et al. (2023) |
Tajikistan | |
| Chernikov et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| Klemic |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo