Vandermeerscheite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Vandermeerscheite
Eddy Van Der Meersche
Formula:
K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O
Colour:
Yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
4.502 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Eddy Van Der Meersche, mineral collector from Ghent, Belgium. He is a photographer, writer and publisher of mineral books. He provided the specimens used in the type description.
Not to be confused with vanmeersscheite.
Not to be confused with vanmeersscheite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
52880
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:52880:3
IMA Classification of Vandermeerscheite
Approved
Approval year:
2018
First published:
2019
Classification of Vandermeerscheite
4.HB.45
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
B : Uranyl Sorovanodates
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vme | 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 Vandermeerscheite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow
Streak:
Yellow
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{101}
{101}
Comment:
Curved fracture
Density:
4.502 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated value is for ideal formula; 4.507 calculated with empirical formula
Optical Data of Vandermeerscheite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.83 nβ = 1.90(1) nγ = 1.91(1)
2V:
Measured: 40° (10)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
moderate, r < v
Pleochroism:
Not Visible
Comments:
Optical orientation is X ≈ ⊥ {10¯1}, Y ≈ [101],
Z = b.
α was calculated from β, γ and 2V.
Z = b.
α was calculated from β, γ and 2V.
Chemistry of Vandermeerscheite
Mindat Formula:
K2[(UO2)2V2O8] · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Vandermeerscheite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.292(2) Å, b = 8.251(3) Å, c = 10.188(3) Å
β = 110.84(4)°
β = 110.84(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.005 : 1 : 1.235
Unit Cell V:
651.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals are flattened on {101}, and elongated on [101], with the crystal forms: {010}, {101} and {111}.
Comment:
Space group: P21/n.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.49 Å | (100) |
| 4.147 Å | (22) |
| 3.738 Å | (32) |
| 3.616 Å | (20) |
| 3.254 Å | (31) |
| 3.132 Å | (21) |
| 2.989 Å | (41) |
| 2.091 Å | (13) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Vandermeerscheite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin blades up to 50 µm long, forming sub-parallel and divergent aggregates
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Cotype material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA, catalogue numbers 67260, 67261 and 67262
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Vandermeerscheite
Other Language Names for Vandermeerscheite
Dutch:Vandermeerscheiet
German:Vandermeerscheit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Vandermeerscheite associated with Phillipsite Subgroup | (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7Si12-9O32] . 12H2O |
| 4 photos of Vandermeerscheite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 4 photos of Vandermeerscheite associated with Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HB.X | Spanoite | Tl2[(UO2)2(V2O8)] |
| 4.HB.05 | Margaritasite | (Cs,K,H3O)2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · H2O |
| 4.HB.05 | Carnotite | K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.10 | Sengierite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Francevillite | Ba(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Fritzscheite | Mn(UO2)2(PO4,VO4)2 · 10H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.15 | Curienite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.15 | Finchite | Sr(UO2)2(V2O8) · 5H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Vanuralite | Al(UO2)2(V2O8)(OH) · 11H2O |
| 4.HB.20 | Metavanuralite | Al(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH) · 8H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Metatyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.HB.25 | Tyuyamunite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O |
| 4.HB.30 | Strelkinite | Na2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 4.HB.35 | Uvanite | U6+2V5+6O21 · 15H2O (?) |
| 4.HB.40 | Rauvite | Ca(UO2)2(V10O28) · 16H2O |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 53.8429% | 13,460,725 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 8.8442% | 2,742 | 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 Vandermeerscheite
Non-fluorescent under both long- and short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation.
Other Information
Notes:
dissolves easily in dilute HCl at room temperature
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 Vandermeerscheite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-52880.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Vandermeerscheite
Reference List:
Jambor, John L., Grew, Edward S., Roberts, Andrew C. (1994) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 79 (11-12) 1210-1230
Localities for Vandermeerscheite
Showing 2 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.
Germany (TL) | |
| Mineralogical Magazine: 82: 445-451. +3 other references |
USA | |
| Personal communication with Christopher ... +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout VandermeerscheiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatRadioactivityFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Schellkopf, Brenk, Brohltal, Ahrweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany