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Curite

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Big Photo

Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Stephan Wolfsried

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Formula:
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
8
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Deep to light ...
Hardness:4 - 5
Name:
After Pierre Curie (1859-1906), French physicist, famous for his research with his wife, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, on radioactivity.
This page provides mineralogical data about Curite.

Classification of Curite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/H.07-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.GB.55

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
Dana 8th edition ID:5.9.3.1

5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.16.26

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
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Type Occurrence of Curite

Type Locality:Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Natural History Museum, Paris France
Year of Discovery:1921

Occurrences of Curite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral formed by the alteration of uraninite

Physical Properties of Curite

Lustre:Adamantine
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Deep to light red-orange, orange, scarlet, yellow
Streak:Orange
Hardness (Mohs):4 - 5
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
On {100}
Density (measured):6.98 - 7.4 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.37 g/cm3

Crystallography of Curite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma {P21/n 21/m 21/a}
Space Group Setting:Pnma
Cell Parameters:a = 12.551Å, b = 7.008Å, c = 6.983Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.791 : 1 : 0.996
Unit Cell Volume:V 614.21 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Crystals prismatic [001] and striated [001]. Massive. In aggregates of fine needles or saccharoidal. Compact earthy.

Optical Data of Curite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 2.060 nβ = 2.110 nγ = 2.150
2V:Measured: 70° , Calculated: 80°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.090

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:r < v strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = b = pale yellow
Y = a = light red-orange
Z = c = dark red-orange

Chemical Properties of Curite

Formula:
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
8
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, O, Pb, U
All elements listed in formula:H, O, Pb, U

Relationship of Curite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.GB.05Agrinierite
K
 
2
(Ca,Sr)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
4.GB.05Compreignacite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 7H
 
2
O
4.GB.05Rameauite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(OH)
 
16
 · H
 
2
O
4.GB.10Becquerelite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 8H
 
2
O
4.GB.10Billietite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
4.GB.10Protasite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.GB.15Richetite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
5
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.GB.20Bauranoite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
4.GB.20Calciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 5H
 
2
O
4.GB.20Metacalciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb,K
 
2
)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.GB.25Fourmarierite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.GB.30Wölsendorfite
(Pb,Ca)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
4.GB.35Masuyite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.GB.40Metavandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · nH
 
2
O n < 12
4.GB.40Vandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · 12H
 
2
O
4.GB.45Vandenbrandeite
Cu(UO
 
2
)(OH)
 
4
4.GB.50Sayrite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
4.GB.60Iriginite
(UO
 
2
)Mo
 
2
O
 
7
 · 3H
 
2
O
4.GB.65Uranosphaerite
Bi(UO
 
2
)O
 
2
(OH)
4.GB.70Holfertite
Ca
 
x
U
6+
2-x
Ti(O
 
8-x
OH
 
4x
) · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.16.1Uraninite
UO
 
2
7.16.2Schoepite
(UO
 
2
)
 
8
O
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.16.3Paraschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.4Metaschoepite
UO
 
3
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.5Metastudtite
UO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.6Studtite
[(UO
 
2
)(O
 
2
)(H
 
2
O)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
7.16.7Ianthinite
U
4+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
7
 · 10H
 
2
O
7.16.8Compreignacite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 7H
 
2
O
7.16.9Vandenbrandeite
Cu(UO
 
2
)(OH)
 
4
7.16.10Roubaultite
Cu
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
10
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.11Becquerelite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 8H
 
2
O
7.16.12Rameauite
K
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(OH)
 
16
 · H
 
2
O
7.16.13Agrinierite
K
 
2
(Ca,Sr)(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.14Protasite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.15Billietite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
6
O
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 4-8H
 
2
O
7.16.16Bauranoite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
 · 1-2H
 
2
O
7.16.17Metacalciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb,K
 
2
)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.18Calciouranoite
(Ca,Ba,Pb)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 5H
 
2
O
7.16.19Orthobrannerite
U
4+
 
U
6+
 
Ti
 
4
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
7.16.20Thorutite
(Th,U,Ca)Ti
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
7.16.21Davidite-(La)
(La,Ce)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.22Davidite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)(Y,U,Fe)(Ti,Fe)
 
20
(O,OH)
 
38
7.16.23Brannerite
(U
4+
 
,REE,Th,Ca)(Ti,Fe
3+
 
,Nb)
 
2
(O,OH)
 
6
7.16.24Fourmarierite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
3
(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.25Richetite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
4
O
 
5
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.27Masuyite
Pb(UO
 
2
)
 
3
O
 
3
(OH)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
7.16.28Vandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · 12H
 
2
O
7.16.29Metavandendriesscheite
PbU
 
7
O
 
22
 · nH
 
2
O n < 12
7.16.30Sayrite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
5
O
 
6
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
7.16.31Wölsendorfite
(Pb,Ca)U
 
2
O
 
7
 · 2H
 
2
O
7.16.32Clarkeite
(Na,Ca,Pb)(UO
 
2
)O(OH) · 0-1H
 
2
O
7.16.33Uranosphaerite
Bi(UO
 
2
)O
 
2
(OH)

Other Names for Curite

Other Languages:
German:Curit
Russian:Кюрит
Spanish:Curita
Varieties:
Thorian Curite

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Curite

Reference List:

- +
Schoep, A. (1921): C.R.: 173: 1186.

American Mineralogist (1922): 7: 128.

Schoep, A. (1930), Ann. us. Congo belge: 1(2), er. 1: 22.

Palache, C. (1934), American Mineralogist: 19: 309.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 629-631.

Canadian Mineralogist (2000): 38: 727-735.

Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen: 26: 279-292.

Li, Y. and P.C. Burns (2000b), Investigations of crystal-chemical variation in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite: Canadian Mineralogist: 38: 727-735.

Kubatko, Karrie-Ann, Katheryn Helean, Alexandra Navrotsky, and Peter C. Burns (2006), Thermodynamics of uranyl minerals: Enthalpies of formation of uranyl oxide hydrates: American Mineralogist: 91: 658-666.

Burns, P.C. (2005) U 6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1839-1894.

Internet Links for Curite

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    • Localities for Curite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Northern Territory
      • Alligator Rivers Region
    		Waite & Payne (1993) Uranium Transport in the subsurface environment - Koongara - a case study in Metals in Groundwater H. Allen et al ed. CRC Press
    Econ Geol (1987)82:1152-1168; Angela Giblin (2004) Alligator Rivers Uranium deposits (Koongarra, Nabarlek and Ranger One) Northern Territory. CRC LEME
      • Kakadu National Park
        • Jabiru
    		Frost, Ray L. and Cejka, Jiri and Ayoko, Godwin A. and Weier, Matt L. (2007) Vibrational spectroscopic study of hydrated uranyl oxide: curite. Polyhedron 26(14):pp. 3724-3730.
      • South Alligator Valley Mineral Field
    		Henry, D.A., Pogson, R.E. and Williams, P.A. (2005) Threadgoldite from the South Alligator Valley uranium field, Northern Territory, Australia: second world occurrence. , Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 11, 7-11
    Canada
     
    • Northwest Territories
      • Mackenzie District
        • Great Bear Lake
    		Rod Tyson, The Port Radium District, Northwest Territories, Canada Mineralogical Record (1989) vol.20. #3, pp 201-208 .
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Plzeň Region
        • Tachov
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
    		Mineralienwelt 1993(1), 13
    Petr Pauliš
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Kolwezi District
          • Kamoto
          • Kolwezi
    No reference listed
        • Lubumbashi (Elizabethville)
        • Shinkolobwe
    		C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris (1921). 173, 1186-1187.
        • Swambo
    		Can Min 38:727-735
    Egypt
     
    • Red Sea Governorate
      • Northeastern Desert
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Haut-Rhin
        • Thur valley (Thann valley)
          • Kruth
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    • Auvergne
      • Puy-de-Dôme
        • Thiers
          • Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle
    		J. Chervet and G. Branche : "Contribution à l'Etude des Minéraux Secondaires d'Uranium Français", ENSG, Nancy, 1955
    • Brittany
      • Morbihan
        • Lignol
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
        • Pontivy
          • Guern
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    • Limousin
      • Creuse
        • Soumans
          • Montebras
    		Patureau, J., Chiappero, P-J. & Lebocey, J. (2011): Mines et minéraux de Montebras, Soumans, Creuse. Le Règne Minéral. 99, 5-33
      • Haute-Vienne
        • Compreignac
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
        • Saint-Sylvestre
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV, 1998
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Menzenschwand
    		Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Böckelsbach valley
    		Markl, G. & Slotta, C. (2011): Die Uranmineralien des Lagerstättenreviers Wittichen im mittleren Schwarzwald. Lapis 36 (3), 25-37; 54 (in German).
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Mähring
            • Uranium deposit
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
        • Schwandorf
          • Wölsendorf Fluorite mining District
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Hunsrück
        • Birkenfeld
          • Ellweiler
    		Aufschluss 69/(7+8), Lapis 79/(7+8)
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Johanngeorgenstadt District
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    Lapis 30(7/8):78-80 (2005)
      • Vogtland
        • Oelsnitz
    		Gröbner, J. and Kolitsch, U. (2007): The minerals of the uranium prospect at Tirpersdorf, Vogtland. Lapis 32, 37-42; 58. (in German)
    Hungary
     
    • Baranya Co.
      • Mecsek Mts.
    		Koch: Minerals of Hungary, 1985
    • Heves Co.
      • Bükk Mts.
        • Nagyvisnyó
    		GEODA 2004
    Italy
     
    • Lombardy
      • Bergamo Province
        • Seriana Valley
          • Valgoglio
    		Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti uraniferi italiani - Gruppo Min. Lombardo - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milani, 1974
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Rendena Valley
    		Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti uraniferi italiani - Gruppo Min. Lombardo - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, 1974
    Madagascar
     
    • Fianarantsoa Province
      • Matsiatra Region
        • Ampandramaika-Malakialina Pegmatite Field
          • Ikalamavony District
            • Fitampito Commune
              • Andanoa
    		Behier, J. (1960): Contribution á la Minéralogie de Madagascar. Annales Géologiques de Madagascar XXIX, Tananarive, 78p.
    Behier, J. (1960): Contribution á la mineralogie de Madagascar. Annales Géologiques de Madagascar XXIX, Tananarive, p 32
    Behier, J. (1960): Contribution á la mineralogie de Madagascar. Annales Géologiques de Madagascar XXIX, Tananarive, p.32
    Behier, J. (1960): Travaux mineralogiques. In Besaire, H. (ed): Rapport Annuel du Service Geologique pour 1960. Republique Madagascar, Tananarive. 181-199
    Norway
     
    • Aust-Agder
      • Gjerstad
    		Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p 90
    • Rogaland
      • Vindafjord
        • Vats
          • Øvre Vats
    		Knut Edvard Larsen collection
    • Telemark
      • Tokke
        • Klauvreid
    		Larsen. A.O. & Åsheim, A. (2008): Klauvreid pegmatittbrudd, del 1: Geologi og mineralogi. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift. 38, 49-56.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
          • Krasnokamensk
    		Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data 2012
    • Northern Region
      • Karelia Republic
        • Northern Karelia
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Namaqualand
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Colorado
      • Grand Co.
        • Wheeler Basin
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Park Co.
        • Lake George (Badger Flats) Area
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Montana
      • Silver Bow Co.
    		USGS Bull 574
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire Co.
        • Marlow
    		Personal collection and XRD analysis by Fred E Davis
      • Grafton Co.
        • Grafton
    		Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World
    • New Mexico
      • McKinley Co.
        • Grants District
    		New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mineral Museum no. 13134
    Mineral and/or Locality
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