Oldsite-(K)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Oldsite-(K)
Travis Olds
Formula:
K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
3.31
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Travis Olds, Ph.D. (b. 1990, Ishpeming, Michigan, USA), assistant curator of minerals, Section of Minerals, Carnegie Museum of Natural History. He co-authored a number of papers devoted to new uranium minerals.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55694
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55694:9
IMA Classification of Oldsite-(K)
Approved
IMA status notes:
Renamed by the IMA
IMA Formula:
K2Fe2+[(U6+O2)(S6+O4)2]2(H2O)8
First published:
2023
Approval history:
(L1)NOMENCLATURE/CLASSIFICATION PROPOSALS APPROVED IN JANUARY 2025 (L2)Establishment of the svornostite group and renaming of svornostite and oldsite (Anthony R. Kampf, Travis A. Olds, Jakub Plášil, Chi Ma, Aaron J. Celestian and Joe Marty) Concurrent with the approval of the new mineral svornostite-(NH4) (IMA No. 2024-068; this Newsletter) the svornostite group is established. In the frame of this, the minerals svornostite and oldsite have been renamed svornostite-(K) and oldsite-(K), respectively. The svornostite group is divided into the svornostite subgroup, which includes svornostite-(K), svornostite-(NH4) and oldsite-(K), and the rietveldite subgroup, which includes rietveldite and zincorietveldite.
Classification of Oldsite-(K)
7.EC.
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
E : Uranyl sulfates
C : With medium-sized and large cations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ods-K | 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 Oldsite-(K)
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Very pale yellow.
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010} and excellent on {100} .
Perfect on {010} and excellent on {100} .
Density:
3.31 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.298 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated using the empirical formula; Dcalc is 3.330 g⋅cm–3 using the ideal formula.
Optical Data of Oldsite-(K)
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.552(2) nβ = 1.556(2) nγ = 1.588(2)
2V:
Measured: 37° (1), Calculated: 39.6°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
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:
Low (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:
r < v, moderate.
Optical Extinction:
X = b, Y = a, Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Refractive indices measured in white light.
Chemistry of Oldsite-(K)
Mindat Formula:
K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Oldsite-(K)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.893(3) Å, b = 8.276(2) Å, c = 11.239(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.558 : 1 : 1.358
Unit Cell V:
1,199.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rectangular blades flattened on {010} and elongated on [001].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.29 Å | (59) |
| 6.47 Å | (82) |
| 5.10 Å | (62) |
| 4.65 Å | (100) |
| 3.332 Å | (55) |
| 3.020 Å | (63) |
| 2.670 Å | (51) |
| 2.106 Å | (56) |
Comments:
North Mesa Mine Group, Utah, USA. Data from the type description.
Type Occurrence of Oldsite-(K)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rectangular blades flattened on {010} and elongated on [001], reaching ~0.3 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 76159.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Oldsite-(K)
Dutch:Oldsiet-(K)
German:Oldsit-(K)
Relationship of Oldsite-(K) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Svornostite subgroup:
| Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
| Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 | Orth. mm2 : Pmn21 |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 3 photos of Oldsite-(K) associated with Bobjonesite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 3H2O |
| 3 photos of Oldsite-(K) associated with Orthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 2 photos of Oldsite-(K) associated with Stanleyite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Oldsite-(K) associated with 'Asphaltite' | |
| 1 photo of Oldsite-(K) associated with Halotrichite | Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O |
| 1 photo of Oldsite-(K) associated with 'Bitumen' | |
| 1 photo of Oldsite-(K) associated with Anorthominasragrite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 5H2O |
| 1 photo of Oldsite-(K) associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Oldsite-(K) associated with 'Petrified Wood' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.EC. | Nitscheite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2] · 3H2O |
| 7.EC. | Beshtauite | (NH4)2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC. | Adolfpateraite | K(UO2)(SO4)(OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC. | Libbyite | (NH4)2(Na2◻)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2 · 7H2O |
| 7.EC. | Seaborgite | LiK2Na6(UO2)(SO4)5(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.05 | Zinczippeite | Zn(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Zippeite | K3(UO2)4(SO4)2O3(OH) · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Cobaltzippeite | Co(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Nickelzippeite | Ni2(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10 · 16H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Redcanyonite | (NH4)2Mn[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)4 |
| 7.EC.05 | Natrozippeite | Na5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Magnesiozippeite | Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2 · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Ammoniozippeite | (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)O2] · H2O |
| 7.EC.05 | Plavnoite | K0.8Mn0.6[(UO2)2O2(SO4)] · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Rabejacite | Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.10 | Svornostite-(K) | K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8 |
| 7.EC.15 | Sejkoraite-(Y) | Y2(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 26H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Marécottite | Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2 · 28H2O |
| 7.EC.15 | Hubbardite | Mg(H2O)6[(UO2)2O(OH)(SO4)]2 · 8H2O |
| 7.EC.20 | Pseudojohannite | Cu3(UO2)4(SO4)2O4(OH)2 · 12H2O |
| 7.EC.40 | Bluelizardite | Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O)2 |
| 7.EC.45 | Meisserite | Na5(UO2)(SO4)3(SO3OH)(H2O) |
| 7.EC.45 | Fermiite | Na4(UO2)(SO4)3 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.45 | Oppenheimerite | Na2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Feynmanite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 3.5H2O |
| 7.EC.50 | Plášilite | Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.55 | Geschieberite | K2(UO2)(SO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.60 | Ottohahnite | Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7 · 1.5H2O |
| 7.EC.65 | Péligotite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.70 | Klaprothite | Na6(UO2)(SO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.75 | Lussierite | Na10[(UO2)(SO4)4](SO4)2 · 3(H2O) |
| 7.EC.80 | Navrotskyite | K2Na10(UO2)3(SO4)9 · 2H2O |
| 7.EC.85 | Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) | (NH4)2Na4[(UO2)2(SO4)5] · 4H2O |
| 7.EC.90 | Wetherillite | Na2Mg(UO2)2(SO4)4 · 18H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 39.5900% | 9,897,500 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 6.5030% | 2,016 | 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 Oldsite-(K)
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Health Risks:
radioactive
Internet Links for Oldsite-(K)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55694.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Oldsite-(K)
Reference List:
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2021) CNMNC Newsletter 64. IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) Mineralogical Magazine, 86 (1) 178-182 doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.93
Plášil, Jakub, Kampf, Anthony R., Ma, Chi, Desor, Joy (2023) Oldsite, K2Fe2+[(UO2)(SO4)2]2(H2O)8, a new uranyl sulfate mineral from Utah, USA: its description and implications for the formation and occurrences of uranyl sulfate minerals. Mineralogical Magazine, 87 (1) 151-159 doi:10.1180/mgm.2022.106
Localities for Oldsite-(K)
Showing 3 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.
USA (TL) | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2021) |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| SEM-EDS and XRD analyzed by Dr. Travis ... |
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North Mesa 10 Mine, North Mesa Mine Group, Temple Mountain Mining District, Emery County, Utah, USA