Sklodowskite
Appearance
Sklodowskite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Nesosilicate |
Formula (repeating unit) | Mg(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·5H2O |
Strunz classification | 09.AK.10 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Identification | |
Color | Light yellow to green-yellow |
Cleavage | Perfect on {100} |
Mohs scale hardness | 2 - 3 |
Luster | Adamantine, vitreous, silky |
Streak | Yellow |
Diaphaneity | Transparent, translucent |
Density | 3.54 g/cm3 |
Sklodowskite is a uranium mineral with the chemical formula: Mg(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·5H2O. It is a secondary mineral which contains magnesium and is a bright yellow colour, its crystal habit is acicular, but can form in other shapes. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2-3. It is named after the maiden name of Marie Curie, Sklodowska.[1] It is the magnesium analogue of the much more common uranium mineral Cuprosklodowskite, which contains copper instead.
It was discovered by Alfred Schoep (1881–1966) in 1924.
References
- ^ "Sklodowskite". mindat.org.
- A. Schoep, La sklodowskite, nouveau mineral radioactif, C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 179, 143 (1924)