PARSONSITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Uranyl phosphates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 2H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Parsonsite is a hydrated phosphate of uranium and lead. It is a secondary mineral found in the surface oxidation zone of uranium deposits. It was named in honor of Professor of Mineralogy Arthur Leonard Parsons (University of Toronto, Canada). Parsonsite occurs in elongated to acicular prismatic crystals, millimeter-sized, pale yellow to yellow-brown, sometimes green-brown or chocolate brown, gathered in radiate aggregates or sheaves. It is commonly associated with phosphuranylite, renardite and torbernite. It is a very incidental uranium ore.

Main photo : Parsonsite from Grury, Saône-et-Loire, France © Juan Miguel Segura

Parsonsite from Lachaux, Puy-de-Dôme, France © Elise Chaigneau
Parsonsite from Echassières, Allier, France © Pascal Chollet
Parsonsite from Lachaux, Puy-de-Dôme, France © Juan Miguel Segura
Parsonsite from Pinhal do Souto Mine, Viseu, Portugal © Pedro Alves

Parsonsite in the World

Parsonsite is known in the Ruggles pegmatites near Grafton Center (New Hampshire), and Wölsendorf (Bavaria, Germany) as well as in the Katangese deposits of Shinkolobwe and Kasolo (Democratic Republic of Congo). Good crystals are also reported at Pinhal do Souto Mine near Viseu (Portugal).

Parsonsite in France

Initially considered very rare, parsonsite was discovered in abundance in pitchblende veins in Forez, near Lachaux (Puy-de-Dôme) and Grury (Saône-et-Loire), where it constituted the essential uranium ore. The most beautiful samples known in the world have been extracted from these small deposits. It is also known at Echassières (Allier), at the La Faye mine (Saône-et-Loire).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5 to 3
Density : 5.72 to 5.75
Fracture : Conchoidal
Streak : Undetermined

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.850 to 1.860
Birefringence : 0.010
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Low
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Strong

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