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Phosphuranylite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Phosphuranylite
Formula:
KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Colour:
Bright yellow; deep golden-yellow, honey-yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Silky
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1879 by Frederick A. Genth in allusion to the chemical composition, being a PHOSPHate of URANYL uranium.
Isostructural with:
Small crystals may have thin rectangular bladed habit. See also the closely related yingjiangite and dewindtite.
NOTE: Modern analytical techniques applied to specimens of "phosphuranylite" in the Joseph Cilen [1916-1997] collection, Hawthorne, NJ, USA, accumulated over a period of 50 years, and containing many older specimens, identified yingjiangite in many instances (Chet Lemanski).
A secondary mineral commonly occurring in weathered zones of granite pegmatites, coating fissures near altered uraninite, and in paleochannel deposits in sandstone. Frequently present in an alteration halo around uraninite/pitchblende found in granite pegmatites. The uraninite may have in contact one or more various schoepite group minerals. Dark yellow phosphuranylite may be found as a coating on a fracture around black uraninite at several to many diameters of the core uraninite grains. Autunite group minerals are in an outer ring that may overlap with the phosphuranylite.
NOTE: Modern analytical techniques applied to specimens of "phosphuranylite" in the Joseph Cilen [1916-1997] collection, Hawthorne, NJ, USA, accumulated over a period of 50 years, and containing many older specimens, identified yingjiangite in many instances (Chet Lemanski).
A secondary mineral commonly occurring in weathered zones of granite pegmatites, coating fissures near altered uraninite, and in paleochannel deposits in sandstone. Frequently present in an alteration halo around uraninite/pitchblende found in granite pegmatites. The uraninite may have in contact one or more various schoepite group minerals. Dark yellow phosphuranylite may be found as a coating on a fracture around black uraninite at several to many diameters of the core uraninite grains. Autunite group minerals are in an outer ring that may overlap with the phosphuranylite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3182
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3182:6
Classification of Phosphuranylite
Phosphuranylite sheet topology
The sheet topology exhibited by members of the phosphuranylite group.
IMA Classification of Phosphuranylite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
KCa(H3O)3(U6+O2)7(PO4)4O4·8H2O
First published:
1879
Type description reference:
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
Dana 7th ed.:
42.4.8.1
42.4.8.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
19.11.18
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U
19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Puy | 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 Phosphuranylite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bright yellow; deep golden-yellow, honey-yellow
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Optical Data of Phosphuranylite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.658 - 1.695 nβ = 1.699 - 1.770 nγ = 1.699 - 1.770
2V:
Measured: 5° to 35°
Birefringence:
0.035
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.041 - 0.075
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.
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:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = Clorless to pale yellow
Y = Z = Golden yellow
Y = Z = Golden yellow
Comments:
The refractive index of reported phosphuranylite is unreasonably large, suggesting poor identification control.
Chemistry of Phosphuranylite
Mindat Formula:
KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4 · 8H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Phosphuranylite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 15.779 Å, b = 13.702 Å, c = 17.253 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.152 : 1 : 1.259
Unit Cell V:
3,730.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Occurs as thin scales with an irregular to rectangular outline. The scales form scaly crusts, thin films and coatings. Also powdery.
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
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
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Labels
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006412 | Phosphuranylite | Piret P, Piret-Meunier J (1991) Composition chimique et structure cristalline de la phosphuranylite Ca(UO2)[(UO2)3(OH)2(PO4)2]2.12H2O European Journal of Mineralogy 3 69-77 | 1991 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.4 Å | (50) |
| 7.96 Å | (80) |
| 4.43 Å | (80) |
| 3.87 Å | (80) |
| 3.16 Å | (100) |
| 3.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.88 Å | (100) |
| 2.86 Å | (80) |
Comments:
ICDD 47:439
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] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Geological Setting:
Weathered zones of granitic pegmatites near altered uraninite. In paleochannels in Colorado Plateau type sandstone deposits.
Type Occurrence of Phosphuranylite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Powdery incrustation on quartz, feldspar, and mica composed of minute rectangular scales.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA.
2) Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 3249–3251
2) Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, 3249–3251
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Phosphuranylite
Relationship of Phosphuranylite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Phosphuranylite Group:
| Althupite | AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)5O2 · 15H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Bergenite | Ca2Ba4(UO2)9(PO4)6O6 · 16H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/c |
| Dewindtite | H2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4 · 12H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmma |
| Dumontite | Pb2(UO2)3O2(PO4)2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Françoisite-(Ce) | (Ce,Nd,Ca)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/c |
| Françoisite-(Nd) | (Nd,Ce,Sm)(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 6H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/c |
| Hügelite | Pb2(UO2)3(AsO4)2O2 · 5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Phuralumite | Al2[(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH)](OH)3(H2O)9 | Mon. 2/m : P21/c |
| Phurcalite | Ca2(UO2)3(PO4)2O2 · 7H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
| Upalite | Al(UO2)3(PO4)2O(OH) · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/c |
| Vanmeersscheite | U6+(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Yingjiangite | K2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 28 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 26 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 15 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O |
| 13 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 11 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 10 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Meta-autunite | Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 9 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Studtite | [(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2] · H2O |
| 8 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 8 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 6 photos of Phosphuranylite associated with Parauranophane | 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 | Renardite | Pb(UO2)4(PO4)2(OH)4 · H2O |
| 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
Fluorescence of Phosphuranylite
May fluoresce due to admixed autunite, etc.
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids.
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 Phosphuranylite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3182.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Phosphuranylite
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford (1950) Studies of uranium minerals (V): phosphuranylite. American Mineralogist, 35 (9-10) 756-763
Hogarth, D. D., Nuffield, E. W. (1954) Studies of radioactive compounds; VII--Phosphuranylite and dewindtite. American Mineralogist, 39 (5-6) 444-447
Frondel, Clifford (1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.222-227
Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek (1991) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 76 (9-10) 1728-1735
Demartin, F., Diella, V., Donzelli, S., Gramaccioli, C. M., Pilati, T. (1991) The importance of accurate crystal structure determination of uranium minerals. I. Phosphuranylite KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4.8H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 47 (4) 439-446 doi:10.1107/s010876819100099x
Piret, Paul, Piret-Meunier, Jacqueline (1991) Composition chimique et structure cristalline de la phosphuranylite Ca(UO2)[(UO2)3(OH)2(PO4)2]212H2O. European Journal of Mineralogy, 3 (1) 69-78 doi:10.1127/ejm/3/1/0069
Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek (1992) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 77 (9-10) 1116-1121 pp.1119-1120
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
Localities for Phosphuranylite
Showing 228 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.
African Plate | |
| Badahmaoui et al. (2020) |
Argentina | |
| C. T. Friz |
| American Mineralogist: 46: 12-25. |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| E. Linares y R. O. Toubes (1960) | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry +1 other reference | |
Australia | |
| D A Berkman (1968) |
| - (2023) +1 other reference |
| Henry et al. (1999) |
| Henry et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Museum Victoria specimen number M33143 ... | |
| Eagle et al. (2015) |
| |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| Atencio et al. (2004) +1 other reference | |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1980) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| D Atencio & R Hypolito () +2 other references |
| Fosfatos e Silicatos Secundários de ... | |
China | |
| yzhkch.ecit.edu.cn (n.d.) |
| yzhkch.ecit.edu.cn (n.d.) | |
Colombia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Czech Republic | |
| Journal of Geosciences 54:15-56 +2 other references |
| Pauliš (1999) |
| www.researchgate.net (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| M.E. Ciriotti +2 other references |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
| 70 (in German) +2 other references | |
| Horáček |
| Sejkora et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Černý P. et al. (2009) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Uranové minerály České republiky a ... |
| Škácha et al. (2017) | |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Pauliš (1992) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
DR Congo | |
| Deliens (1996) |
| Gauthier et al. (1989) |
| Van Wambeke (1971) |
Egypt | |
| Abd El-Moghny et al. (2026) |
France | |
| - (1998) |
| J.-J. Périchaud: "Où trouver les minéraux d'Auvergne" et al. (Clermont-Ferrand) | |
| Queneau (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Y. Vessely collection |
| Yves Mourey Collection |
| RRUFF Project Specimen ID: R050470 Min ... |
| Saget et al. (1989) |
| R. Pierrot +1 other reference |
| - (1998) |
| R. Pierrot |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) | |
| - (1998) | |
| R. Pierrot |
| Deliens et al. (2004) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| Lièvre et al. (2002) |
| t. brunsperger collcetion |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| Desmons (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| J. Geffroy |
| MAURY (S) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Aufschluss 1977 (5) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Dill et al. (2010) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
|
Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil