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Barnesite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Barnesite
William H. Barnes
Formula:
(Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O
Colour:
Brilliant dark red; brownish red on exposure
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.09 - 3.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of William Howard Barnes (9 January 1903, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - 25 October 1980), physicist and crystallographer, McGill University, Montreal, Canada (1924-1946), Head of X-ray Diffraction Section, Division of Physics, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa (1947-1968), a major contributor to the knowledge of the crystal chemistry and crystal structures of vanadium minerals.
This page provides mineralogical data about Barnesite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
533
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:533:9
Similar Names
| Barneite | A rock subtype | |
| Birnessite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Na,Ca)0.5(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4 · 1.5H2O |
| Burnsite | A valid IMA mineral species | KCdCu72+(SeO3)2O2Cl9 |
IMA Classification of Barnesite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na2V5+6O16·3H2O
First published:
1963
Classification of Barnesite
4.HG.45
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
H : V[5,6] Vanadates
G : Unclassified V oxides
47.3.1.3
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
47 : VANADIUM OXYSALTS
3 : Hydrated Normal Vanadium Oxysalts
21.1.3
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
1 : Vanadates of the alkalis and Cu
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bar | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Barnesite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Barnesite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brilliant dark red; brownish red on exposure
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {001}, fair on {100} and {010}
on {001}, fair on {100} and {010}
Density:
3.09 - 3.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.23 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Barnesite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.797 - 1.8 nβ = 2.01 - 2.04 nγ = 2.04 - 2.08
2V:
Measured: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.243 - 0.280
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:
Very 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:
r << v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = yellow, Y = yellow-orange, Z = red; Orientation: Y = a, Z = b, X vs. c = 5°
Chemistry of Barnesite
Mindat Formula:
(Na,Ca)V6O16 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca
Crystallography of Barnesite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.17 Å, b = 3.602 Å, c = 7.78 Å
β = 95.03°
β = 95.03°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.379 : 1 : 2.16
Unit Cell V:
339.73 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Subparallel to radiating aggregates of bladed to fibrous crystals, elongated along [010], to 0.5 mm; also as botryoidal to velvety coatings.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018488 | Barnesite | Bachmann H G, Barnes W H (1962) The crystal structure of a sodium-calcium variety of metahewettite The Canadian Mineralogist 7 219-235 |  | 1962 | Paradox Valley, Montrose County, Coldrado,USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 12.2 Å | (25) |
| 7.90 Å | (100) |
| 3.45 Å | (35) |
| 3.12 Å | (70) |
| 2.92 Å | (18) |
| 2.27 Å | (25) |
| 1.800 Å | (25) |
Reference:
Comments:
Recorded on type material
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] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Barnesite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dark red microscopic bladed to fibrous crystals either in loose aggregates or in radiating clusters. In continuous coatings, it is velvety with a botryoidal appearance.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Not recorded
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In small cavities and fractures and as interstitial filling in sandstone in the oxidized zone of a vanadiferous uranium deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Barnesite
Relationship of Barnesite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hewettite Group:
| Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O | Orth. |
| Hewettite | CaV6O16 · 9H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Metahewettite | CaV6O16 · 3H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Barnesite associated with Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Sandstone' | |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with Corvusite | (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Unnamed (Ni Vanadate)' | Ni3(VO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Barnesite associated with 'Slag' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.HG. | Calciodelrioite | Ca(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG. | Trebiskyite | Na3Mg2[TiV9O28] · 22H2O |
| 4.HG. | Cadvanite | Cd(VO3)2 |
| 4.HG.05 | Fervanite | Fe3+4V5+4O16 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.10 | Huemulite | Na4Mg(V10O28) · 24H2O |
| 4.HG.15 | Vanalite | NaAl9V12O42(OH)4 · 33H2O |
| 4.HG.20 | Simplotite | CaV4+4O9 · 5H2O |
| 4.HG.25 | Vanoxite | V4+4V5+2O13 · 8H2O |
| 4.HG.30 | Navajoite | Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O |
| 4.HG.35 | Delrioite | Sr(VO3)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.40 | Metadelrioite | CaSr(V2O6)(OH)2 |
| 4.HG.50 | Hendersonite | (Ca,Sr)1.3V6O16 · 6H2O |
| 4.HG.55 | Grantsite | (Na,Ca)2+x(V5+,V4+)6O16 · 4H2O |
| 4.HG.60 | Lenoblite | V4+2O4 · 2H2O |
| 4.HG.65 | Satpaevite | Al12V4+2V5+6O37 · 30H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ba | BaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
| 4.HG.70 | Pandoraite-Ca | CaV4+5V5+2O16 · 3H2O |
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 Barnesite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-533.html
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References for Barnesite
Reference List:
Weeks, Alice D., Ross, Daphne R., Marvin, Richard F. (1963) The occurrence and properties of barnesite, Na2V6O16·3H2O, a new hydrated sodium vanadate mineral from Utah. American Mineralogist, 48 (11-12) 1187-1195
Localities for Barnesite
Showing 19 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.
Greece | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| Bittarello et al. (2013) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Anthony (1997) |
| Anthony (1997) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Kampf et al. (2019) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Anthony (1997) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Kampf et al. (2025) |
| Weeks et al. (1963) +1 other reference |
| In the collection of Alex Earl |
| collection Leon Hupperichs |
| Joe Marty Collection |
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