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Mathesiusite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mathesiusite
Johannes Mathesius
Formula:
K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O
Colour:
Yellowish green
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.02 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
Named in honor of Johannes Mathesius (24 June 1504, Rochlitz, Saxony – 7 October 1565, St. Joachimsthal, Bohemia), a Lutheran parson and humanist. He was also an "amateur mineralogist" and a friend of Georg Agricola, "the father of mineralogy". They both lived in St. Joachimsthal (now Jáchymov).
This page provides mineralogical data about Mathesiusite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
43918
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:43918:3
IMA Classification of Mathesiusite
Classification of Mathesiusite
7.DG.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations; with NO3, CO3, B(OH)4, SiO4 or IO3
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mhe | 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 Mathesiusite
Vitreous
Colour:
Yellowish green
Comment:
Colorless in fragments
Streak:
Greenish white
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Comment:
~2
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect cleavage on {110} and weaker on {001}
Perfect cleavage on {110} and weaker on {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.02 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mathesiusite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.634(3) nε = 1.597(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.037
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:
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Mathesiusite
Mindat Formula:
K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Mathesiusite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P4/n
Setting:
P4/n
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.9704(10) Å, c = 6.8170(5) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.455
Unit Cell V:
1527.78 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Acicular aggregates of prismatic crystals up to ~200 μm long and several micrometers thick.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.599 Å | (100) |
| 6.907 Å | (41) |
| 6.270 Å | (5) |
| 5.295 Å | (32) |
| 4.760 Å | (2) |
| 4.739 Å | (12) |
| 3.351 Å | (2) |
| 3.216 Å | (2) |
Locality:
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Mathesiusite
General Appearance of Type Material:
A secondary mineral formed during post-mining processes, found on fractures of gangue.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology of the National Museum in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, catalogue number P1P 7/2013
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mathesiusite
Other Language Names for Mathesiusite
Dutch:Mathesiusiet
German:Mathesiusit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Mathesiusite associated with 'Asphaltite' | |
| 4 photos of Mathesiusite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 2 photos of Mathesiusite associated with Ammoniomathesiusite | (NH4)5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5) · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Mathesiusite associated with Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 1 photo of Mathesiusite associated with Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Mathesiusite associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 1 photo of Mathesiusite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DG.05 | Darapskite | Na3(SO4)(NO3) · H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Clinoungemachite | (Na, K, Fe, SO4) |
| 7.DG.10 | Humberstonite | Na7K3Mg2(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.10 | Ungemachite | K3Na8Fe(SO4)6(NO3)2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Chiyokoite | Ca3Si(CO3)[B(OH)4]O (OH)5 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Kottenheimite | Ca 3Si(SO4)2(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Hielscherite | Ca3Si(SO4)(SO3)(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Jouravskite | Ca3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Thaumasite | Ca3(SO4)[Si(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Bentorite | Ca6Cr2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Carraraite | Ca3(SO4)[Ge(OH)6](CO3) · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Ettringite | Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Birunite | Ca18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?) |
| 7.DG.15 | Siwaqaite | Ca6Al2(CrO4)3(OH)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Buryatite | Ca3(Si,Fe3+,Al)(SO4)B(OH)4(OH,O)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Charlesite | Ca6(Al,Si)2(SO4)2[B(OH)4](OH,O)12 · 26H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Tatarinovite | Ca3Al(SO4)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Imayoshiite | Ca3Al(CO3)[B(OH)4](OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.15 | Sturmanite | Ca6Fe3+2(SO4)2.5[B(OH)4](OH)12 · 25H2O |
| 7.DG.20 | Rapidcreekite | Ca2(SO4)(CO3) · 4H2O |
| 7.DG.25 | Tatarskite | Ca6Mg2(SO4)2(CO3)2(OH)4Cl4 · 7H2O |
| 7.DG.30 | Nakauriite | Cu8(SO4)4(CO3)(OH)6 · 48H2O |
| 7.DG.35 | Chessexite | (Na,K)4Ca2(Mg,Zn)3Al8(SO4)10(SiO4)2 · 40H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Fuenzalidaite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.40 | Carlosruizite | K6(Na,K)4Na6Mg10(SeO4)12(IO3)12 · 12H2O |
| 7.DG.45 | 'Chelyabinskite' | (Ca,Mg)3(SO4,CO3)2[Si(OH)6] · 9H2O (?) |
| 7.DG.55 | Ramazzoite | [Mg8Cu12(PO4)(CO3)4(OH)24(H2O)20][(H0.33SO4)3(H2O)36] |
| 7.DG.60 | Witzkeite | Na4K4Ca(NO3)2(SO4)4 · 2H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 51.1106% | 12,777,650 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 10.4942% | 3,253 | 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 Mathesiusite
Strong yellowish green under long and short wave UV
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 Mathesiusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-43918.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 Mathesiusite
Reference List:
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2013) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2013. CNMNC Newsletter No.17. Mineralogical Magazine, 77 (7) 2997-3005 doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.7.09
Localities for Mathesiusite
Showing 4 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 (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Zsombor Eva |
USA | |
| Analyzed by Joy Desor. |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
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North Mesa Mine Group, Temple Mountain Mining District, Emery County, Utah, USA