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Barronite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Barronite
Formula:
(âŧ0.5Ba0.5)(UO2)2Si5O12(OH) · 2H2O
Empirical formula is:
(âĄ1.369Ba0.345K0.165Ca0.086Pb0.024Fe0.011)ÎĢ2.000(U0.996O2)2Si4.989O12(OH)·2H2O.
(âĄ1.369Ba0.345K0.165Ca0.086Pb0.024Fe0.011)ÎĢ2.000(U0.996O2)2Si4.989O12(OH)·2H2O.
Colour:
pale yellow
Hardness:
1 - 2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after the exploration geologist Keith Barron (born 1962), the winner of the Thayer Lindsay award (2008) for his discovery of the famous Au-Ag deposit of Fruta del Norte in Ecuador, owner of the second world's largest sapphire mine of Rock Creek, Montana, USA, and actively exploring gold, copper, base metal and uranium in Switzerland, Argentina, Ecuador, Guyana and France.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
471488
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:471488:6
Similar Names
| Barneite | A rock subtype | |
| Barrotite | A valid IMA mineral species | Cu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O |
| Bartonite | A valid IMA mineral species | K6Fe20S26S |
| Bauranoite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
| Beraunite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Fe63+(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| Birunite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered - questionable | Ca18(SiO3)8.5(CO3)8.5SO4 · 15H2O(?) |
| Bornite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Cu5FeS4 |
| Bornite (of Pinkerton) | A rock subtype | |
| Braunite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Mn2+Mn63+(SiO4)O8 |
| Brianite | A valid IMA mineral species | Na2CaMg(PO4)2 |
| Garronite | A synonym of Garronite Subgroup |
IMA Classification of Barronite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(âŧ0.5Ba0.5)(U6+O2)2Si5O12(OH)·2H2O
Approval year:
2024
Type description reference:
PlÃĄÅĄil, Jakub; Steciuk, Gwladys; Å koda, Radek; Sejkora, JiÅÃ; DolnÃÄek, ZdenÄk; Meisser, Nicolas; Ansermet, Stefan; Slotta, Carsten (2025) Extending the mineralogy of U6+ (II): Barronite, a new uranyl silicate related to weeksite from Menzenschwand, Germany. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 638-649 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10081
Classification of Barronite
9.AK.30
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Barr | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Barronite
Colour:
Pale yellow
Comment:
some of the crystals have a brown-orange tint, caused by Fe-Si-gels.
Streak:
Colourless to pale yellow
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
distinct cleavage on {100}
distinct cleavage on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Optical Data of Barronite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.599(2) nβ = 1.607(2) nγ = 1.617(3)
2V:
Measured: 86°
Birefringence:
s biaxial (+), with Îą = 1.599(2), Îē = 1.607(2), Îģ = 1.617(3);
2V (meas.) = 86°. Optical orientation is X = b, Y Ë a ~3° in the obtuse angle Îē. Dispersion is
distinct r>v. Pleochroism is distinct in hues of pale-yellow X
2V (meas.) = 86°. Optical orientation is X = b, Y Ë a ~3° in the obtuse angle Îē. Dispersion is
distinct r>v. Pleochroism is distinct in hues of pale-yellow X
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.018
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 Âĩm 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 Âĩm 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 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:
distinct
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
hues of pale-yellow X
Chemistry of Barronite
Mindat Formula:
(âŧ0.5Ba0.5)(UO2)2Si5O12(OH) · 2H2O
Empirical formula is:
(âĄ1.369Ba0.345K0.165Ca0.086Pb0.024Fe0.011)ÎĢ2.000(U0.996O2)2Si4.989O12(OH)·2H2O.
Empirical formula is:
(âĄ1.369Ba0.345K0.165Ca0.086Pb0.024Fe0.011)ÎĢ2.000(U0.996O2)2Si4.989O12(OH)·2H2O.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
K
Crystallography of Barronite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.211(1) Å, b = 14.017(2) Å, c = 9.6545(8) Å
β = 111.59(6)°
β = 111.59(6)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.014 : 1 : 0.689
Unit Cell V:
1,788.21 Ã
Âģ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.96 Ã | (63) |
| 7.10 Ã | (100) |
| 5.564 Ã | (44) |
| 3.842 Ã | (23) |
| 3.550 Ã | (45) |
| 3.299 Ã | (32) |
| 3.175 Ã | (31) |
| 2.915 Ã | (37) |
Reference:
PlÃĄÅĄil, Jakub; Steciuk, Gwladys; Å koda, Radek; Sejkora, JiÅÃ; DolnÃÄek, ZdenÄk; Meisser, Nicolas; Ansermet, Stefan; Slotta, Carsten (2025) Extending the mineralogy of U6+ (II): Barronite, a new uranyl silicate related to weeksite from Menzenschwand, Germany. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 638-649 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10081
Type Occurrence of Barronite
General Appearance of Type Material:
globular/acicular aggregates, consisting of long-prismatic crystals, up to 0.3 mm in length
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the collections of the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, National Museum, CirkusovÃĄ 1740, 19300 Praha 9, Czech Republic, catalogue number P1P27/2024, and the MusÃĐum Cantonal des Sciences Naturelles (NaturÃĐum), DÃĐpartement de GÃĐologie, UniversitÃĐ de Lausanne, Anthropole, Dorigny, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland, catalogue number MGL 087280
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Barronite is of supergene origin; its formation is the result of the oxidation-hydration of uraninite/pitchblende in the supergene zone in-situ along with other uranyl silicates and, also most probably, phosphates/arsenates.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
PlÃĄÅĄil, Jakub; Steciuk, Gwladys; Å koda, Radek; Sejkora, JiÅÃ; DolnÃÄek, ZdenÄk; Meisser, Nicolas; Ansermet, Stefan; Slotta, Carsten (2025) Extending the mineralogy of U6+ (II): Barronite, a new uranyl silicate related to weeksite from Menzenschwand, Germany. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 638-649 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10081
Synonyms of Barronite
Other Language Names for Barronite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AK. | 'Orlite' | Pb3(UO2)3(Si2O7)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.05 | Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Sklodowskite | Mg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Cuprosklodowskite | Cu(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.10 | Oursinite | Co(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Parauranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Natroboltwoodite | Na(UO2)(SiO3OH) · H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AK.15 | Boltwoodite | (K,Na)(UO2)(SiO3OH) · 1.5H2O |
| 9.AK.20 | Swamboite-(Nd) | Nd0.333[(UO2)(SiO3OH)](H2O)~2.5 |
| 9.AK.25 | Haiweeite | Ca(UO2)2[Si5O12(OH)2] · 6H2O |
| 9.AK.25 | Metahaiweeite | Ca(UO2)2Si6O15 · nH2O |
| 9.AK.30 | Weeksite | K2(UO2)2(Si5O13) · 4H2O |
| 9.AK.30 | Coutinhoite | ThxBa(1-2x)(UO2)2Si5O13 · (H2O)1+y (0 < x < 0.5 and 0 < y < (2+x)) |
| 9.AK.35 | Magnioursilite | Mg4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 20H2O |
| 9.AK.35 | Calcioursilite | Ca4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5(OH)6 · 15H2O |
| 9.AK.40 | Uranosilite | UO3 · 7SiO2 |
Radioactivity
Fluorescence of Barronite
It is non-fluorescent in SW and LW ultraviolet light
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 Barronite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-471488.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 Barronite
Reference List:
PlÃĄÅĄil, J., Steciuk, G., Å koda, R., Sejkora, J., DolnÃÄek, Z., Meisser, N., Ansermet, S., Slotta, C. (2024) Barronite, IMA 2024-053, in IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) â Newsletter 82. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (6). 1005-1010 doi:10.5194/ejm-36-1005-2024
PlÃĄÅĄil, Jakub; Steciuk, Gwladys; Å koda, Radek; Sejkora, JiÅÃ; DolnÃÄek, ZdenÄk; Meisser, Nicolas; Ansermet, Stefan; Slotta, Carsten (2025) Extending the mineralogy of U6+ (II): Barronite, a new uranyl silicate related to weeksite from Menzenschwand, Germany. Mineralogical Magazine, 89 (5). 638-649 doi:10.1180/mgm.2025.10081
Localities for Barronite
Showing 1 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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.
Germany (TL) | |
| PlÃĄÅĄil et al. (2024) |
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Krunkelbach Valley Uranium deposit, Menzenschwand, St Blasien, Waldshut, Freiburg Region, Baden-WÞrttemberg, Germany