TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Tyuyamunita

Tyuyamunita is a mineral with formula Ca(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂·5-8H₂O, in the Vanadatos group. This specimen comes from Rivas, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Madrid, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Tyuyamunita from Rivas, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Madrid, España — Terrium

Description

Crust of microcrystalline, fluorescent yellow tyuyamunite on sepiolite matrix with pyrolusite. In effect, it appears as stains, some yellow and others black.

About Tyuyamunita

A calcium uranyl vanadate, i.e. a member of the autunite group in which vanadium replaces phosphorus. It is a neoformation mineral: it forms in the oxidation zone and can develop even in relatively recent historic mines. Minerals of this group have been documented on spoil heaps or in galleries in under a century, sometimes in just a few decades; they seldom take more than a few thousand years.

About the locality

The Sierra de Madrid is noted for this recent, limited find, with occasional specimens of high interest to collectors; Spanish pieces of this quality are very uncommon.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0121
Composition
Ca(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂·5-8H₂O
Name
Tyuyamunita
Group
Vanadatos
Category
Núcleus Ardens
Matrix
Sepiolita
Associations
pirolusita
Mine
Rivas
District / Municipality
Rivas Vaciamadrid
Province
Madrid
Country
España
Size (cm)
4.7 x 3.2 x 3
Weight
25.5 g
Acquired
2025
Etymology
From the Tyuya-Muyun district, Kyrgyzstan, where it was first described in 1912.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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