Cuprosklodowskite
Cuprosklodowskite is really a copper that is rare nesosilicate mineral that is very highly radioactive due to its 55.24 % uranium content. Cuprosklodowskite is created from the oxidation of uranium and copper bearing minerals. Sklodowskite and Uranophane are a couple of closely related minerals that have similar chemistry, structure and habits which can be crystal. Cuprosklodowskite is available in good crystals only at the Musonoi Mine at the planet copper that is famous uranium mines of Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre). This mine produces the finest Cuprosklodowskite specimens in the world. At this and other localities Cuprosklodowsite is often closely associated along with other radioactive minerals such as Curite, Kasolite, Sklodowskite, Soddyite, Swamboite, Torbernite and Uranophane. The photo above programs Cuprosklodowsite that is green associated yellow Soddyite. Cuprosklodowsite mineral specimens are extremely attractive with its bright crystals that are green with other brightly colored minerals such as Soddyite. Cuprosklodowskite’s bright green velvety tufts of radiating acicular crystals are extremely attractive and make an impressive mineral specimen but faceted gems are a rarity that’s true.
Cuprosklodowskite was named by Henri Buttgenbach, a famous metallurgist that is belgian while introducing Johannes Franciscus Vaes’ paper, in the mistaken belief that the brand new mineral had been the copper analog of Sklodowskite. Sklodowskite was named after Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) whom, with her husband Pierre Curie, was a pioneer into the scholarly study of radioactivity.
As with every minerals that are radioactive wash hands after managing. Avoid dust that is inhaling handling or breaking. Never lick or consume. Avoid prolonged visibility in proximity regarding the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Areas for Cuprosklodowskite: In Congo (Zaire), from Katanga (Shaba) Province, at Kambove and Kalongwe deposit [TL], with excellent specimens from Shinkolobwe and the Musonoi mine, Kolwezi. From Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic. At Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. From West Wheal Owles therefore the Geevor mine, St. Just, Cornwall, England. In the Rabéjac uranium deposit, seven south-southwest that is km of, Hérault, France. The Posey mine, Red Canyon, and the Happy Jack mine, White Canyon, San Juan County; in Ca, on the Ram claims, Pinto Mountains, Riverside County in the USA, in New Mexico, from the Sanostee area, San Juan County, in the Woodrow mine, Laguna district, Valencia County, plus in the Grants district, McKinley County; in Utah, in the Frey No. 4 mine, Frey Canyon. In Canada, from the Nicholson mine, Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan. At Kenzan, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
| Category: | Uranium mineral |
| Chemical Formula: | Cu(UO2)2(SiO4)2(H4O)2 • 2(H2O) |
| Hydrated Copper Uranyl Silicate | |
| Molecular Weight: | 861.84 gm |
| Composition: | Uranium | 55.24 % | U | 62.66 % | UO2 |
| Copper | 7.37 % | Cu | 9.23 % | CuO | |
| Silicon | 6.52 % | Si | 13.94 % | SiO2 | |
| Hydrogen | 1.17 % | H | 10.45 % | H2O | |
| Oxygen | 29.70 % | O | |||
| 100.00 % | 96.29 % | = TOTAL OXIDE |
| Crystallography: | Triclinic – Pinacoidal |
| Crystal Habit: | As needles, to 3 cm, commonly somewhat flattened on {010} and elongated along [100]. In radiating groups of crystals, matted fibers, and thin crusts. |
| Twinning: | None |
| Cleavage: | Distinct/good on {100} |
| Fracture: | Conchoidal |
| Tenacity: | Brittle |
| Moh’s Hardness: | 4.0 |
| Density: | 3.85 (g/cm3) |
| Luminescence: | None |
| Radioactivity: | Very Strong; GRapi = 4,140,994.92 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units) |
| Health Warning: | Contains uranium – always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas. |
| Color: | Yellowish green to grass-green or greenish yellow |
| Transparency: | Transparent, translucent |
| Luster: | Dull to silky in aggregates |
| Refractive Index: | 1.654 – 1.667 Biaxial ( – ) |
| Birefringence: | 0.010 – 0.012 |
| Dispersion: | r > v |
| Pleochroism: | Visible; X = nearly colorless; Y = Z = yellowish green |
