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Furongite

A valid IMA mineral species
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07186550017271923204388.jpg
Furongite

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
05463430017271923241324.jpg
Furongite, etc.

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
04090260017271923272040.jpg
Furongite

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
07186550017271923204388.jpg
Furongite

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
05463430017271923241324.jpg
Furongite, etc.

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
04090260017271923272040.jpg
Furongite

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
02102270017271923324164.jpg
Furongite

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
03311300017271923356363.jpg
Furongite, etc.

Kobokobo pegmatite, Mwenga Territory, South Kivu, DR Congo
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About FurongiteHide

Formula:
Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O
the correct formula is Al4[(UO2)4(PO4)6](OH)2(H2O)19.5 (Dal Bo et al., 2017)
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
2.9
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in 1976 using a poetic name for the Hunan Province, China, that includes the type locality.
The first natural uranyl phosphate with a U:P ratio of 2:3.

The structure is described as containing:
* infinite uranyl phosphate sheets, [(UO2)4(PO4)6]10-, || (101), which comprise "UrO5" pentagonal bipyramids and PO4 tetrahedra which share edges and vertices; their topology is related to that of the anion topology of uranophane
* hydrogen bonds which link the adjacent sheets
* Al-bearing octahedra running through the sheets and connected mainly to free apical oxygen atoms of the phosphate groups; the octahedra join to form remarkable Al2O5(OH)(H2O)5 and Al4O8(OH)2(H2O)10 clusters


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1621
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1621:2

IMA Classification of FurongiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Al13(U6+O2)7(PO4)13(OH)14·58H2O
First published:
1976

Classification of FurongiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.EB.50

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
E : Uranyl phosphates and arsenates
B : UO2:RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
42.10.5.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : A3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.11.27

19 : Phosphates
11 : Phosphates of U

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
FrgIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of FurongiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Colour:
Yellow
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Very perfect on {111} and {111}
Density:
2.9 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.9 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of FurongiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.543 - 1.549 nβ = 1.564 - 1.567 nγ = 1.57 - 1.575
2V:
Measured: 65° to 80°, Calculated: 64°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.026 - 0.027
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.

Surface Relief:
Low (positive)
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.
Dispersion:
none
Optical Extinction:
Z ∧ {111} ≃ 38°.

Chemistry of FurongiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Al13(UO2)7(PO4)13(OH)14 · 58H2O

the correct formula is Al4[(UO2)4(PO4)6](OH)2(H2O)19.5 (Dal Bo et al., 2017)
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O46.399 %
U35.015 %
P8.462 %
Al7.371 %
H2.754 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
U
P
Al
H
Elements listed:
Al, H, O, P, U - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of FurongiteHide

Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.1685(8) Å, b = 14.1579(6) Å, c = 17.7884(6) Å
α = 79.822(3)°, β = 77.637(4)°, γ = 67.293(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.859 : 1 : 1.256
Unit Cell V:
2746.2 ų
Z:
2
Comment:
also reported as monoclinic; the above data is from Dal Bo et al. (2017)

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
10.2 Å(100)
8.62 Å(80)
4.310 Å(50)
3.639 Å(40)
2.868 Å(35)
5.553 Å(30)
5.096 Å(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals]

Type Occurrence of FurongiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Unnamed U deposit (1), Hunan, China
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tabular crystals and as dense cryptocrystalline aggregates.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone of a uranium deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
VarisciteEvansiteOpalHalloysite'Limonite'
Autunite

Other Language Names for FurongiteHide

Dutch:Furongiet
German:Furongit
Simplified Chinese:芙蓉铀矿
Spanish:Furongita
Traditional Chinese:芙蓉鈾礦

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Furongite associated with TrianguliteAl3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2O
2 photos of Furongite associated with KobokoboiteAl6(PO4)4(OH)6 · 11H2O
1 photo of Furongite associated with UraniniteUO2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.EB.Meta-autunite GroupA1-2(UO2)2(TO4)2 · 5-10H2O
8.EB.05RauchiteNi(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05UranocirciteBa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OTet.
8.EB.05UranospiniteCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.05ZeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
8.EB.05MetarauchiteNi(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05HeinrichiteBa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.EB.05KahleriteFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.05HydronováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.05TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
8.EB.05NováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.05AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.EB.05SaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.05Xiangjiangite(Fe3+,Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH) · 22H2OTet.
8.EB.10BassetiteFe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.10LehneriteMn2+(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.EB.10Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m)
8.EB.10MetasaléeiteMg(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
8.EB.10MetauranocirciteBa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 7H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.EB.10MetauranospiniteCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.10MetaheinrichiteBa(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.EB.10MetakahleriteFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.10MetakirchheimeriteCo(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.10MetanováčekiteMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P4/n
8.EB.10MetanatroautuniteNa(UO2)(PO4)(H2O)3Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/ncc
8.EB.10MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P4/n
8.EB.10MetazeuneriteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTet. 4/m : P42/n
8.EB.10PrzhevalskitePb2(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 3H2OTet.
8.EB.10'Pseudo-autunite'(H3O)4Ca2(UO2)2(PO4)4 · 5H2OOrth.
8.EB.15AbernathyiteK(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/ncc
8.EB.15Uramphite(NH4)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Meta-ankoleiteK2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15NatrouranospiniteNa2(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Trögerite(H3O)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Chernikovite(H3O)2(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 6H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/nmm
8.EB.15Uramarsite(NH4)(UO2)(AsO4) · 3H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : P4/mmm
8.EB.20ChistyakovaiteAl(UO2)2(AsO4)2(F,OH) · 6.5H2OMon.
8.EB.20ThreadgolditeAl(UO2)2(PO4)2(OH) · 8H2OMon.
8.EB.25Uranospathite(Al,◻)(UO2)2(PO4)2F · 20(H2O,F)Orth. mm2 : Pnn2
8.EB.25ArsenuranospathiteAl(UO2)2(AsO4)2F · 20H2OOrth. mm2 : Pnn2
8.EB.30Vochtenite(Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH) · 12-13H2OMon.
8.EB.35CoconinoiteFe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2OMon.
8.EB.40RanunculiteHAl(UO2)(PO4)(OH)3 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.EB.45TrianguliteAl3(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)5 · 5H2OTric.
8.EB.55ArsenosabugaliteH0.5Al0.5(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.EB.55SabugaliteHAl(UO2)4(PO4)4 · 16H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.EB.60Horákite(Bi7O7OH)[(UO2)4(PO4)2(AsO4)2(OH)2] · 3.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b

RadioactivityHide

Radioactivity:
Element % Content Activity (Bq/kg) Radiation Type
Uranium (U) 35.0148% 8,753,700 α, β, γ
Thorium (Th) 0.0000% 0 α, β, γ
Potassium (K) 0.0000% 0 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: –

DistanceDose rateRisk
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 FurongiteHide

In UV light:
Strong somewhat yellowish green fluorescence.

Other InformationHide

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 FurongiteHide

References for FurongiteHide

Reference List:
Hunan 230 Laboratory, Hunan 305 Geological Team, Wuhan Geological Institution X-ray Laboratory (1976): Furongite, a new uranium mineral found in China. Acta Geologica Sinica: 50(2): 203-204. (in Chinese)
Hunan 230 Institute, Hunan 305 Geological Team and X-Ray Laboratory of Wuhan Geologic College (1978): The mineralogical investigation of furongite. Science in China, Series A (Mathematics), 22(2), 199-206.
Fleischer, Michael, Cabri, Louis J., Chao, George Y., Pabst, Adolf (1978) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 63 (3-4) 424-427
Shen, J., Peng, Z. (1981) The crystal structure of furongite. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 37. 186 doi:10.1107/s0108767381093975
Deliens, M., & Piret, P. (1985). Les phosphates d'uranyle et d'aluminium de Kobokobo VIII. La furongite. Ann. Soc. Géol. Belg, 108, 365-368.
Hawthorne, Frank C., Burke, Ernst A. J., Ercit, T. Scott, Grew, Edward S., Grice, Joel D., Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek, Roberts, Andrew C., Vanko, David A. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (1-2) 189-199
(2005) Furongite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Doynikova, O. A., Siderenko, G. A. (2006) Coconinoite and related alumouranyl phosphates. New Data on Minerals, 41. 108-117
Dal Bo, Fabrice, Hatert, Frédéric, Philippo, Simon (2017) A new uranyl phosphate sheet in the crystal structure of furongite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 29 (3) 517-527 doi:10.1127/ejm/2017/0029-2629

Localities for FurongiteHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China (TL)
 
  • Hunan
Hunan 230 Laboratory et al. (1976) +1 other reference
DR Congo
 
  • South Kivu
    • Mwenga Territory
Deliens et al. (1985) +1 other reference
Spain
 
  • Extremadura
    • Cáceres
      • Tejeda de Tiétar
www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.)
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