Log In
Derriksite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Derriksite
Jean-Marie François Joseph Derriks
Formula:
Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6
Formula originally assumed to contain 1 water molecule.
Colour:
Dark green to bottle-green, clear green
Specific Gravity:
4.61 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After Jean-Marie François "Joseph" Derriks (Huy, Belgium, August 8 1912 - Angleur (Liège) March 5 1992), geologist and administrator of the Union Minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK).
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Derriksite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1264
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1264:1
IMA Classification of Derriksite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+4(U6+O2)(Se4+O3)2(OH)6
Approval year:
1971
First published:
1971
Classification of Derriksite
4.JG.30
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
G : Selenites with additional anions, without H2O
34.7.5.1
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
34 : SELENITES, TELLURITES AND SULFITES
7 : Hydrated Selenites, Tellurites and Sulfites containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
28.1.7
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
28 : Selenites, Selenates, Tellurites, and Tellurates
1 : Selenites
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Drk | 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 Derriksite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green to bottle-green, clear green
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on (010)
Good on (010)
Density:
4.61 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Derriksite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.77 nβ = 1.85 nγ = 1.89
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.120
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:
Very High (positive)
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (68°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (68°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v distinct
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Chemistry of Derriksite
Mindat Formula:
Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6
Formula originally assumed to contain 1 water molecule.
Formula originally assumed to contain 1 water molecule.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Derriksite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.570(2) Å, b = 19.088(8) Å, c = 5.965(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.292 : 1 : 0.313
Unit Cell V:
634.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
Pn21m
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009986 | Derriksite | Ginderow D, Cesbron F (1983) Structure da la derriksite, Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6 Acta Crystallographica C39 1605-1607 |  | 1983 | Musoni, Shaba, Ziare | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.78 Å | (very very strong) |
| 4.072 Å | (very strong) |
| 3.748 Å | (very strong) |
| 4.352 Å | (strong) |
| 3.218 Å | (strong) |
| 5.35 Å | (moderately strong) |
| 4.197 Å | (moderately strong) |
Comments:
Musonoi mine, Congo. Data from the 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] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Derriksite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
University of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France, number 204, 12.251.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, number 181.35.
National School of Mines, Paris, France, number 9.104.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, number 181.35.
National School of Mines, Paris, France, number 9.104.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Derriksite
Other Language Names for Derriksite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 13 photos of Derriksite associated with Demesmaekerite | Pb2Cu5(UO2)2(SeO3)6(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Derriksite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Derriksite associated with Chalcomenite | CuSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Derriksite associated with Guilleminite | Ba(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 3H2O |
| 3 photos of Derriksite associated with Digenite | Cu9S5 |
| 2 photos of Derriksite associated with Marthozite | Cu2+(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Derriksite associated with Cobaltomenite | CoSeO3 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Derriksite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Derriksite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 1 photo of Derriksite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.JG. | Prewittite | KPb1.5ZnCu6(SeO3)2O2Cl10 |
| 4.JG. | Masaitisite | KCu5O2(SeO3)2Cl3 |
| 4.JG. | Wangkuirenite | Pb3Cl2(SeO3)2 |
| 4.JG. | Guangyuanite | Pb3Cl3(Se4+O3)(OH) |
| 4.JG.05 | Georgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.05 | Parageorgbokiite | Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl2 |
| 4.JG.10 | Chloromenite | Cu9(SeO3)4O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.15 | Sofiite | Zn2(SeO3)Cl2 |
| 4.JG.20 | Ilinskite | (Na,K)Cu5(SeO3)2O2Cl3 |
| 4.JG.25 | Francisite | Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl |
| 4.JG.35 | Burnsite | KCdCu2+7(SeO3)2O2Cl9 |
| 4.JG.40 | Allochalcoselite | Cu+PbCu2+5(SeO3)2Cl5O2 |
| 4.JG.45 | Nicksobolevite | Cu7(SeO3)2O2Cl6 |
| 4.JG.50 | Plumboselite | Pb3O2(SeO3) |
| 4.JG.55 | Sarrabusite | Pb5CuCl4(SeO3)4 |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 27.0434% | 6,760,850 | 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 Derriksite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1264.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 Derriksite
Reference List:
Cesbron, Fabien, Pierrot, Roland, Verbeek, Théodore (1971) La derriksite, Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6·H2O, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 94 (5) 534-537 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1971.6619
Ginderow, D., Cesbron, F. (1983) Structure de la derriksite, Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2(OH)6. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 39 (12) 1605-1607 doi:10.1107/s0108270183009439
Dunn, Pete J.; Cabri, Louis J.; Ferraiolo, James A.; Grice, Joel Do.; Jambor, John L.; Mueller, Wolfgang; Shigley, James E.; Puziewicz, Jacek; Vanko, David A. (1984) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 69 (11-12). 1190-1196
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Frost, Ray L., Reddy, B. Jagannadha, Dickfos, Marilla J. (2008) An Application of near Infrared and Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Study of Uranyl Selenite Minerals: Derriksite, Demesmaekerite, Guilleminite and Haynesite. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 16 (5) 455-469 doi:10.1255/jnirs.813
Frost, Ray L.; Čejka, Jiří; Scholz, Ricardo; López, Andrés; Theiss, Frederick L.; Xi, Yunfei (2014) Vibrational spectroscopic study of the uranyl selenite mineral derriksite Cu4UO2(SeO3)2(OH)6⋅H2O. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 117. 473-477 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2013.08.026
Localities for Derriksite
Showing 2 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 | |
| Pauliš et al. (2016) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Cesbron et al. (1971) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout DerriksiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo