Walpurgite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Walpurgite
Formula:
(BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
yellow, orange-yellow; colourless to light yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Adamantine, Greasy
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
6.59 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the type locality, Walpurgis vein, Weißer Hirsch Mine, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany.
This page provides mineralogical data about Walpurgite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4238
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4238:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
93ea8071-799e-4d6f-9b98-e4303b758bcb
IMA Classification of Walpurgite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Bi4O4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
First published:
1871
Classification of Walpurgite
8.EA.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
A : UO2:RO4 = 1:2
40.5.9.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
20.6.6
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
6 : Arsenates of Bi
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
6 : Arsenates of Bi
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Wpg | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Wl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Walpurgite
Adamantine, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
yellow, orange-yellow; colourless to light yellow in transmitted light.
Streak:
Pale brownish yellow
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
6.59 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Walpurgite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.871 - 1.900 nβ = 1.975 - 2.000 nγ = 2.005 - 2.050
2V:
Measured: 50° to 60°, Calculated: 54° to 74°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.134 - 0.150
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = Z = very faint greenish yellow.
Chemistry of Walpurgite
Mindat Formula:
(BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Crystallography of Walpurgite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.135(2) Å, b = 10.426(4) Å, c = 5.494(1) Å
α = 101.47(2)°, β = 110.82(2)°, γ = 88.20(2)°
α = 101.47(2)°, β = 110.82(2)°, γ = 88.20(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.684 : 1 : 0.527
Unit Cell V:
374.04 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals lath-like [001] and tabular {010} with an oblique termination. Occurs also as sub-parallel aggregates and radial groups.
Twinning:
Twin plane and composition surface {010}, common, the twinned aggregates pseudo-monoclinic (resembling gypsum).
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015687 | Walpurgite | Mereiter K (1982) The crystal structure of walpurgite,(UO2)Bi4O4(AsO4)2*2H2O Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 30 129-139 | 1982 | Schneeberg, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.128 Å | (100) |
| 10.257 Å | (41) |
| 3.059 Å | (38) |
| 3.268 Å | (32) |
| 2.739 Å | (26) |
| 3.400 Å | (23) |
| 2.188 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Walpurgite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany, 21779
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Weisbach, A. (1871): Vorläufige Mittheilung [Über Trögerit und Walpurgin].Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie, 869-870.
Synonyms of Walpurgite
Other Language Names for Walpurgite
Relationship of Walpurgite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm |
| Phosphowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Walpurgite associated with Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 9 photos of Walpurgite associated with Atelestite | Bi2(AsO4)O(OH) |
| 7 photos of Walpurgite associated with Bariopharmacosiderite | Ba0.5Fe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 5H2O |
| 5 photos of Walpurgite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 4 photos of Walpurgite associated with Tennantite-Tetrahedrite Series | |
| 4 photos of Walpurgite associated with Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 3 photos of Walpurgite associated with Cuproroméite | Cu2Sb2(O,OH)7 |
| 3 photos of Walpurgite associated with Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Walpurgite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Walpurgite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.EA.05 | Orthowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.05 | Phosphowalpurgite | (BiO)4(UO2)(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Hallimondite | Pb2(UO2)(AsO4)2 · nH2O |
| 8.EA.10 | Parsonsite | Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2 |
| 8.EA.15 | Ulrichite | CaCu(UO2)(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.EA.20 | Lakebogaite | CaNaFe3+2H(UO2)2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
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 Walpurgite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4238.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Walpurgite
Reference List:
Bertrand, Emile (1881) Sur la Waltherite [walpurgite] de Joachimsthal ; sur la Voltzine de Joachimsthal ; forme cristalline de l'eulytine. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 4 (3) 58-63 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1881.1628pp.58-59 - (as waltherite)
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.155
Frondel, Clifford (1943) The mineralogy of the oxides and carbonates of bismuth. American Mineralogist, 28 (9-10) 521-535 (as waltherite)
Evans, Howard T. (1950) Studies of uranium minerals (VI): Walpurgite. American Mineralogist, 35 (11-12) 1021-1027
Mereiter, K. (1982) The crystal structure of walpurgite, (UO2)Bi4O4(AsO4)2·2H2O. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 30 (2) 129-139 doi:10.1007/bf01082500
Krause, Werner, Effenberger, Herta, Brandstätter, Franz (1995) Orthowalpurgite (UO2)Bi4O4(AsO4)2-2H2O, a new mineral from the Black Forest, Germany. European Journal of Mineralogy, 7 (6) 1313-1324 doi:10.1127/ejm/7/6/1313
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Localities for Walpurgite
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 | |
| Plášil J. et al. (2011) |
| Vogl (1857) +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Škácha et al. (2014) | |
| Sejkora et al. (2002) |
| Viktor Goliáš et al. (2016) |
| Bradna |
Egypt | |
| 52 (2) +1 other reference |
Europe | |
| Sejkora et al. (2009) |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1995) |
| Slotta (2004) |
| |
| |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| [Lapis 1992 |
| |
| Steen (2007) | |
| Gröbner J. +1 other reference |
| Tröger (2009) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| 62. +1 other reference |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
| A. Weisbach (1871) +2 other references |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Schlegel et al. (1996) | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Stephan Wolfsried collection |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference | |
Namibia | |
| Schnaitmann et al. (2007) |
| von Bezing (2007) |
Poland | |
| Mochnacka et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Luis Martins collection |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tajikistan | |
| Chernikov et al. (1997) |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1990) |
| Knight (1978) +2 other references | |
| R. S. W. Braithwaite and J. R. Knight (1990) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 330. +2 other references |
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Schmiedestollen dump, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany