Cuprosklodowskite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

  
Cuprosklodowskite was named by Henri Buttgenbach, a famous Belgian metallurgist, while introducing Johannes Franciscus Vaes' paper, in the mistaken belief that the new mineral was the copper analog of Sklodowskite. Sklodowskite was named after Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) who, with her husband Pierre Curie, was a pioneer in the study of radioactivity.

Discovered in 1933; IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered)

Chemistry

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

Classification

Mineral Classification:

SILICATES (Germanates)

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/B.34-20

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

9.AK.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates

Related to:

n/a

Varieties:

None

Synonyms:

Cuprosklodovskite, ICSD 4350, Jachimovite, Jachymovite, Jachymovite (of Novácek), PDF 19-413

Crystal Data

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

Physical Properties

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.

Optical Properties

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

Occurances

Geological Setting:

A secondary mineral formed by alteration of earlier uranium minerals, both in situ and after transport of solutions.

Common Associations:

Becquerelite, Brochantite, Uranophane, Kasolite, Vandenbrandeite, Liebigite, Uranophane-beta, Compreignacite.

Common Impurities:

n/a

Type Locality:

Kalongwe deposit, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)

Year Discovered:

1933

View mineral photos:

Cuprosklodowskite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Cuprosklodowskite is a rare copper uranyl nesosilicate mineral that is very strongly radioactive due to its 55.24 % uranium content. Cuprosklodowskite is formed from the oxidation of copper and uranium bearing minerals. Sklodowskite and Uranophane are two closely related minerals that have similar chemistry, structure and crystal habits. Cuprosklodowskite is found in good crystals only at the Musonoi Mine at the world famous copper and 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 with other radioactive minerals such as Curite, Kasolite, Sklodowskite, Soddyite, Swamboite, Torbernite and Uranophane. The picture above shows green Cuprosklodowsite associated with yellow Soddyite. Cuprosklodowsite mineral specimens are very attractive with its bright green crystals set with other brightly colored minerals such as Soddyite. Cuprosklodowskite's bright green velvety tufts of radiating acicular crystals are very attractive and make an impressive mineral specimen but faceted gems are a true rarity.

Cuprosklodowskite was named by Henri Buttgenbach, a famous Belgian metallurgist, while introducing Johannes Franciscus Vaes' paper, in the mistaken belief that the new mineral was the copper analog of Sklodowskite. Sklodowskite was named after Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) who, with her husband Pierre Curie, was a pioneer in the study of radioactivity.

As with all radioactive minerals 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.

Locations for Cuprosklodowskite: In Congo (Zaire), from Katanga (Shaba) Province, at Kambove and Kalongwe deposit [TL], with exceptional specimens from Shinkolobwe and the Musonoi mine, Kolwezi. From Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic. At Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. From West Wheal Owles and the Geevor mine, St. Just, Cornwall, England. In the Rabéjac uranium deposit, seven km south-southwest of Lodève, Hérault, France. In the USA, in New Mexico, from the Sanostee area, San Juan County, in the Woodrow mine, Laguna district, Valencia County, and in the Grants district, McKinley County; in Utah, in the Frey No. 4 mine, Frey Canyon, the Posey mine, Red Canyon, and the Happy Jack mine, White Canyon, San Juan County; in California, on the Ram claims, Pinto Mountains, Riverside County. In Canada, from the Nicholson mine, Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan. At Kenzan, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
 

  
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