PHOSPHURANYLITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Uranyl phosphates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : KCa(H3O)3(UO2)7O4(PO4)4 8H2O
    Rarity : Quite common

Phosphuranylite is a hydrated uranium and calcium phosphate chemically close to autunite. It is a classic accompaniment of this mineral from which it can be derived by dehydration. Both, like almost all uranium phosphates, are found in the oxidation zone of uranium deposits and derive more or less directly from the supergene alteration of uraninite and pitchblende. Its name derives from its chemistry (phosphorus + uranium). Phosphuranylite rarely forms small scaly crystals of 2 mm maximum in the cracks of the pitchblende, and more often occurs in powdery coatings. Its color is amber yellow to greenish yellow.

Main photo : Phosphuranylite from Shaft 254, Theuma, Saxony, Germany © Uwe Haubenreisser

Phosphuranylite from Krunkelbach, St Blasien, Germany © Stephan Wolfsried
Phosphuranylite from Bois Noirs, Loire, France © Yannick Vessely
Phosphuranylite from the Bel Air mine, Deux-Sèvres, France © Jean-Marc Johannet
Phosphuranylite from Boucheron, Ussel, Corrèze, France © Philippe Font

Phosphuranylite in the World

Phosphuranylite is a common phosphate that shares autunite deposits. It is common in most uranium-bearing districts, but remains particularly frequent in the uranium-bearing pegmatites of the eastern United States (Keystone, Rumford, North Groton), Brazil (Lavra do Enio, Cruzeiro, Galiléia...) and from Portugal (Sabugal, Mangualde, etc...).

Phosphuranylite in France

In France, good samples of phosphuranylite come from the uranium veins of Margnac and La Crouzille (Haute-Vienne). It is also known at Huis Jacques (Nièvre) and in Bois Noirs (Loire) but also at the Bel Air mine and at La Commanderie (Deux-Sèvres), at Boucheron near Ussel (Corrèze) and at Margabal (Aveyron).

Twinning

No twins known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5
Density : 4
Fracture : Micaceous
Streak : Pale yellow

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.658 to 1.770
Birefringence : 0.041 to 0.075
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Strong
Fluorescence : Sometimes yellow-green

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong

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