Bayleyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bayleyite
William Shirley Bayley
Formula:
Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O
Colour:
Yellow, whitish yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Dull
Hardness:
2 - 2½
Specific Gravity:
2.05
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after William Shirley Bayley (1861-1943), American mineralogist and geologist. It was first observed and collected by the American geologist Charles Alfred Anderson from the oxidation zone of the Hillside Mine, Arizona, USA and first described as a new mineral by Axelrod et al. (1951).
After collecting, bayleyite, when stored in a drier atmosphere, becomes dull and disintegrates to a yellow powder.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
582
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:582:5
IMA Classification of Bayleyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg2(U6+O2)(CO3)3·18H2O
First published:
1951
Classification of Bayleyite
5.ED.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
D : UO2:CO3 = 1:3
15.3.3.1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
15 : HYDRATED NORMAL CARBONATES
3 : AmBn(XO3)p·xH2O, with (m+n):p = 1:1
11.11.5
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Byy | 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 Bayleyite
Vitreous, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Vitreous, becoming dull as it dehydrates
Colour:
Yellow, whitish yellow
Hardness:
2 - 2½ on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.05 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.06 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bayleyite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.453 - 1.455 nβ = 1.49 - 1.492 nγ = 1.498 - 1.502
2V:
Measured: 30°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.045 - 0.047
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 (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.
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Pinkish
Y = Light yellow
Z = Light yellow
Y = Light yellow
Z = Light yellow
Chemistry of Bayleyite
Mindat Formula:
Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 18H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Bayleyite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 26.65(5) Å, b = 15.31(5) Å, c = 6.53(2) Å
β = 93.07°
β = 93.07°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.741 : 1 : 0.427
Unit Cell V:
2,660.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals minute, short-prismatic; also acicular; in divergent groups (artificial material).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015706 | Bayleyite | Mayer H, Mereiter K (1986) Synthetic bayleyite, Mg2[UO2(CO3)3]*18H2O: Thermochemistry, crystallography and crystal structure Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 35 133-146 | 1986 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.66 Å | (100) |
| 13.1 Å | (90) |
| 3.83 Å | (60) |
| 2.69 Å | (50) |
| 2.21 Å | (50) |
| 6.53 Å | (40) |
| 5.85 Å | (40b) |
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] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Bayleyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As crust on gypsum and mica schist
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 106101–106104.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Post-mining efforescent coatings on mine walls.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Bayleyite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Bayleyite associated with Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
| 8 photos of Bayleyite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Bayleyite associated with Schröckingerite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 7 photos of Bayleyite associated with Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 4 photos of Bayleyite associated with Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4 photos of Bayleyite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 2 photos of Bayleyite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 2 photos of Bayleyite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Bayleyite associated with Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| 1 photo of Bayleyite associated with Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.ED. | Szilagyiite | NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3(SeO3)F(H2O)6 |
| 5.ED. | Pendevilleite-(Y) | Mg2Y3Al(UO2)2(CO3)7(OH)6(H2O)16 |
| 5.ED. | Paramarkeyite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5H2O |
| 5.ED.10 | Swartzite | MgCa(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O |
| 5.ED.15 | Albrechtschraufite | Ca4Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6F2 · 17-18H2O |
| 5.ED.20 | Liebigite | Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 · 11H2O |
| 5.ED.25 | Rabbittite | Ca3Mg3(UO2)2(CO3)6(OH)4 · 18H2O |
| 5.ED.30 | Andersonite | Na2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 5.33H2O |
| 5.ED.35 | Grimselite | K3Na(UO2)(CO3)3 · H2O |
| 5.ED.40 | Widenmannite | Pb2(OH)2[(UO2)(CO3)2] |
| 5.ED.45 | Znucalite | Zn10Ca0.83(UO2)0.83(CO3)4(OH)15.31(H2O)5.48 |
| 5.ED.50 | Agricolaite | K4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.50 | Čejkaite | Na4(UO2)(CO3)3 |
| 5.ED.55 | Línekite | K2Ca3[(UO2)(CO3)3]2 · 8H2O |
| 5.ED.55 | Braunerite | K2Ca(UO2)(CO3)3 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.60 | Leószilárdite | Na6Mg(UO2)2(CO3)6 · 6H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Pseudomarkeyite | Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)12 · 21H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Natromarkeyite | Na2Ca8(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 27H2O |
| 5.ED.65 | Markeyite | Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13 · 28H2O |
| 5.ED.70 | Paddlewheelite | MgCa5Cu2(UO2)4(CO3)12(H2O)33 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 28.9242% | 7,231,050 | 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
Fluorescence of Bayleyite
Weakly fluorescent yellow-green to pale greenish in LW and SW UV.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in water. Radiactive.
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 Bayleyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-582.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 Bayleyite
Reference List:
Axelrod, Joseph M., Grimaldi, Frank S., Milton, Charles, Murata, and K. J. (1951) The uranium minerals from the Hillside Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona. American Mineralogist, 36 (1-2) 1-22
Axelrod, Joseph M., Grimaldi, Frank S., Milton, Charles, Murata, and K. J. (1951) The uranium minerals from the Hillside Mine, Yavapai County, Arizona. American Mineralogist, 36 (1-2) 1-22
Mayer, H., Mereiter, K. (1986) Synthetic bayleyite, Mg2[UO2(CO3)3]·18H2O: Thermochemistry, crystallography and crystal structure. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 35 (2) 133-146 doi:10.1007/bf01140845
Localities for Bayleyite
Showing 44 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 +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Czech Republic | |
| Pavel Škácha |
| Škácha et al. (2014) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 2) |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
Germany | |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
| Witzke et al. (1998) | |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Middle East | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
Morocco | |
| Maya Gold and Silver |
Spain | |
| mineralsabella.blogspot.de (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) | |
Turkey | |
| Top et al. (2018) |
USA | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +6 other references |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Sims (1963) +1 other reference |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral ... |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... | |
| NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology ... | |
| NMBMMR Memoir 38 Geology and Technology ... +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min. vol. 72 (1997) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| |
| Finnell et al. (1963) |
| Page et al. (1956) +4 other references | |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Travis Olds collection +1 other reference |
| Plášil et al. (2013) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
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Lichtenberg open cast, Ronneburg, Greiz District, Thuringia, Germany