Barnesite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Barnesite
William H. Barnes
Formula:
(Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O
Colour:
Brilliant dark red; brownish red on exposure
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.09 - 3.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of William Howard Barnes (9 January 1903, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - 25 October 1980), physicist and crystallographer, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (1924-1946), Head of X-ray Diffraction Section, Division of Physics, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa (1947-1968), a major contributor to the knowledge of the crystal chemistry and crystal structures of vanadium minerals.
This page provides mineralogical data about Barnesite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
533
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:533:9
Similar Names
| Barneite | A rock subtype | |
| Birnessite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| Burnsite | A valid IMA mineral species | KCdCu72+(SeO3)2O2Cl9 |
IMA Classification of Barnesite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2V5+6O16·3H2O
First published:
1963
Classification of Barnesite
4.HG.45
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
47.3.1.3
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
21.1.3
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bar | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Barnesite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Barnesite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brilliant dark red; brownish red on exposure
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}, fair on {100} and {010}
on {001}, fair on {100} and {010}
Density:
3.09 - 3.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Barnesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.797 - 1.8 nβ = 2.01 - 2.04 nγ = 2.04 - 2.08
2V:
Measured: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.243 - 0.280
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r << v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = yellow, Y = yellow-orange, Z = red; Orientation: Y = a, Z = b, X vs. c = 5°
Chemistry of Barnesite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca
Crystallography of Barnesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.17 Å, b = 3.602 Å, c = 7.78 Å
β = 95.03°
β = 95.03°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.379 : 1 : 2.16
Unit Cell V:
339.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Subparallel to radiating aggregates of bladed to fibrous crystals, elongated along [010], to 0.5 mm; also as botryoidal to velvety coatings.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018488 | Barnesite | Bachmann H G, Barnes W H (1962) The crystal structure of a sodium-calcium variety of metahewettite The Canadian Mineralogist 7 219-235 |  | 1962 | Paradox Valley, Montrose County, Coldrado,USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.2 Å | (25) |
| 7.90 Å | (100) |
| 3.45 Å | (35) |
| 3.12 Å | (70) |
| 2.92 Å | (18) |
| 2.27 Å | (25) |
| 1.800 Å | (25) |
Reference:
Comments:
Recorded on type material
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] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Barnesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dark red microscopic bladed to fibrous crystals either in loose aggregates or in radiating clusters. In continuous coatings, it is velvety with a botryoidal appearance.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Not recorded
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In small cavities and fractures and as interstitial filling in sandstone in the oxidized zone of a vanadiferous uranium deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Barnesite
Relationship of Barnesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hewettite Group:
| Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O | Orth. |
| Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Barnesite associated with Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Unnamed (Ni Vanadate)' | Ni3(VO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Slag' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HG. | Calciodelrioite | Ca(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG. | Trebiskyite | Na3Mg2[TiV9O28] · 22H2O |
| 4.HG. | Cadvanite | Cd(VO3)2 |
| 4.HG.05 | Fervanite | Fe3+4V5+4O16 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.10 | Huemulite | Na4Mg(V10O28) · 24H2O |
| 4.HG.15 | Vanalite | NaAl9V12O42(OH)4 · 33H2O |
| 4.HG.20 | Simplotite | CaV4+4O9 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.25 | Vanoxite | V4+4V5+2O13 · 8H2O |
| 4.HG.30 | Navajoite | Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O |
| 4.HG.35 | Delrioite | Sr(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.40 | Metadelrioite | CaSr(V2O6)(OH)2 |
| 4.HG.50 | Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O |
| 4.HG.55 | Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.60 | Lenoblite | V4+2O4 · 2H2O |
| 4.HG.65 | Satpaevite | Al12V4+2V5+6O37 · 30H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ba | BaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ca | CaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
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 Barnesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-533.html
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References for Barnesite
Reference List:
Weeks, Alice D., Ross, Daphne R., Marvin, Richard F. (1963) The occurrence and properties of barnesite, Na2V6O16·3H2O, a new hydrated sodium vanadate mineral from Utah. American Mineralogist, 48 (11-12) 1187-1195
Localities for Barnesite
Showing 19 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.
Greece | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Bittarello et al. (2013) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Anthony (1997) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Kampf et al. (2025) |
| Weeks et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| In the collection of Alex Earl |
| collection Leon Hupperichs |
| Joe Marty Collection |
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