Cuprosklodowskite is a secondary uranium mineral formed by alteration of earlier uranium minerals. Its empirical formula is Cu(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·6(H2O).[3] Cuprosklodowskite is a nesosilicate mineral, It is grass green to dark green in color, and its crystal habit is typically acicular, flat bladed crystals. It is a strongly radioactive mineral.

Cuprosklodowskite
Cuprosklodowskite, Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Lualaba District, Democratic Republic of the Congo {3.6 x 2.7 x 2.2 cm}
General
CategoryUranium mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
Cu(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·6(H2O)
IMA symbolCskl[1]
Strunz classification9.AK.10
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Unit cella = 7.052(5) Å,
b = 9.267(8) Å,
c = 6.655(5) Å;
α = 109.23°, β = 89.84°,
γ = 110.01°; Z = 1
Identification
ColorYellowish to grass-green
Crystal habitIn radiating groups of acicular flattened or bladed needles or fibrous crusts
TwinningTwice a year
CleavageOn {100}
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness4
LusterDull to silky in aggregates
StreakGreenish yellow
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity3.85
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.654 - 1.655 nβ = 1.664 - 1.667 nγ = 1.664 - 1.667
Birefringenceδ = 0.010 - 0.012
PleochroismX = nearly colorless; Y = Z = yellowish green
Other characteristics Radioactive
References[2][3][4]

Cuprosklodowskite was discovered in 1933 at the Kalongwe deposit in (then) Katanga province, Belgian Congo, the type locality. It was named in the mistaken belief that the mineral was the copper analogue of sklodowskite, which in turn was named for Marie Skłodowska Curie (1867–1934).

It occurs in association with becquerelite, brochantite, uranophane, kasolite, vandenbrandeite, liebigite and compreignacite.[2][5]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ a b Mindat.org
  4. ^ Webmineral data
  5. ^ Bowell, Rob; Cook, Robert B. (2009). "Cuprosklodowskite:Musonoi, Democratic Republic of Congo". Rocks & Minerals. 84 (2): 144–149. doi:10.3200/RMIN.84.2.144-149. S2CID 140667362 – via ResearchGate.