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Sklodowskite

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Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi, Western area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Sklodowskite Photos (23)
Formula:
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Light yellow to ...
Hardness:2 - 3
Name:
Named after Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) who, with her husband Pierre, was a pioneer in the study of radioactivity.


Sklodowskite Group.

Classification of Sklodowskite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.34-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AK.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
K : Uranyl neso- and polysilicates
Dana 8th edition ID:53.3.1.3

53 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions or Complex Cations
3 : Insular SiO4 Groups and Other Anions of Complex Cations with (UO2)
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.16.9

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
16 : Silicates of U
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Type Occurrence of Sklodowskite

Type Locality:Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Year of Discovery:1924

Occurrences of Sklodowskite

Geological Setting:Silica bearing waters acting on earlier deposited uranium minerals (uraninite)

Physical Properties of Sklodowskite

Lustre:Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:earthy when massive
Colour:Light yellow to green-yellow
Streak:Yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Cleavage:Perfect
on {100}
Density (measured):3.54 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.51 g/cm3

Crystallography of Sklodowskite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:B2/m {B1 1 2/m} {C2/m} {C1 2/m 1}
Space Group Setting:C2/m
Cell Parameters:a = 17.382(6) Å, b = 7.047(1) Å, c = 6.610(2) Å
β = 105.88°
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.467 : 1 : 0.938
Unit Cell Volume:V 778.77 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2
Morphology:Acicular crystals
Twinning:With {001} or {100} as twin plane

Optical Data of Sklodowskite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.613 - 1.615 nβ = 1.635 - 1.642 nγ = 1.656 - 1.657
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.043

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:strong r > v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= colorless
Y= yellow
Z= pale yellow

Chemical Properties of Sklodowskite

Formula:
Mg(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Mg, O, Si, U
All elements listed in formula:H, Mg, O, Si, U
Common Impurities:Te,Ni,Na,K

Relationship of Sklodowskite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AK.05Soddyite
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
SiO
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
9.AK.10Cuprosklodowskite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
9.AK.10Oursinite
(Co,Mg)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Boltwoodite
(K,Na)(UO
 
2
)[HSiO
 
4
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Kasolite
Pb(UO
 
2
)[SiO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Natroboltwoodite
(H
 
3
O)(Na,K)UO
 
2
SiO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
9.AK.15Beta-Uranophane
9.AK.20Swamboite
UH
 
6
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(SiO
 
4
)
 
6
·30H
 
2
O
9.AK.25Haiweeite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[Si
 
5
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
]·4.5H
 
2
O
9.AK.25Metahaiweeite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·nH
 
2
O
9.AK.25Ranquilite
9.AK.30Weeksite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
3
·4H
 
2
O
9.AK.30Coutinhoite
Th
 
x
Ba
 
(1-2x)
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
13
·(H
 
2
O)
 
1+y
 (0 < x < 0.5 and 0 < y < (2+x))
9.AK.35Ursilite
(Mg,Ca)
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
5.5
(OH)
 
5
·13H
 
2
O
9.AK.35Magnioursilite
Mg
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
5
(OH)
 
6
·20H
 
2
O
9.AK.35Calcioursilite
Ca
 
4
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
5
(OH)
 
6
·15H
 
2
O
9.AK.40Uranosilite
UO
 
3
 · 7SiO
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.16.1Uranosilite
UO
 
3
 · 7SiO
 
2
14.16.2Coffinite
(U,Th)[(OH)
 
4x
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
]
14.16.3Soddyite
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
SiO
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
14.16.4Swamboite
UH
 
6
(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(SiO
 
4
)
 
6
·30H
 
2
O
14.16.5Weeksite
K
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)
 
3
·4H
 
2
O
14.16.6Boltwoodite
(K,Na)(UO
 
2
)[HSiO
 
4
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
14.16.7Natroboltwoodite
(H
 
3
O)(Na,K)UO
 
2
SiO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
14.16.8Cuprosklodowskite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
14.16.10Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
14.16.11β-Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
14.16.12Haiweeite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[Si
 
5
O
 
12
(OH)
 
2
]·4.5H
 
2
O
14.16.13Metahaiweeite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
15
·nH
 
2
O
14.16.14Thorogummite
(Th,U)[(OH)
 
4x
|(SiO
 
4
)
 
1-x
]
14.16.15Steacyite
([ ],K)(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Th,U)[Si
 
8
O
 
20
]
14.16.16Ekanite
(Ca,Fe
2+
 
,Pb)
 
2
(Th,U)[Si
 
8
O
 
20
]
14.16.17Kasolite
Pb(UO
 
2
)[SiO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
14.16.18 Orlite
Pb
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)
 
2
·6H
 
2
O
14.16.19Oursinite
(Co,Mg)(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O

Other Names for Sklodowskite

Other Languages:
German:Sklodowskit
Russian:Склодовскит
Spanish:Sklodowskita

Other Information

Health Warning:Radioactive

References for Sklodowskite

Reference List:American Mineralogist (1925): 10: 132.

Ryan, R.R. and Rosenzweig, A. (1977) Sklodowskite, MgO.2UO3.2SiO2.7H2O. Crystal Structure Communications: 6: 611-615.

American Mineralogist (1981): 66: 610-625.

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 Sklodowskite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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  • Sklodowskite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Sklodowskite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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
    		Econ Geol (1987)82:1152-1168
      • Kakadu National Park
        • Jabiru
    		Economic Geology of Australia and papua New Guinea pp321-326
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Bahia
        • Brumado (Bom Jesus dos Meiras)
          • Serra das Éguas
    		Cassedanne, J.P. & Cassedanne, J.O. (1978): Famous mineral localities: The Brumado district, Bahia , Brazil. Mineralogical Record 9 : 196-205
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    		Pauliš P., Kopecký S., Černý P. 2007: Uranové minerály České Republiky a jejich naleziště. 1. část. (Kutna Hora, issue 1)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
    		Lapis 2002(7/8), 63-65
      • Liberec Region
        • Harrachov (Harrachsdorf)
    		Bradna, J., Šita, F.: Nálezy minerál na Rýžovišti u Harrachova. Opera Corcontica, 1968, 5, s. 246-247.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Shinkolobwe
    		Am Min 66 (1981), 610
          • Swambo
        • Southern area
          • Lubumbashi (Elizabethville)
        • Western area
          • Kolwezi
            • Kamoto
    		S. Wolfsried collection
    No reference listed
    France
     
    • Brittany
      • Morbihan
        • Le Faouët
          • Berné
    		R. Pierrot, L. Chauris, C. Laforêt and F. Pillard : "Inventaire Minéralogique de la France N° 9 : Morbihan", BRGM, 1980.
        • Pontivy
          • Guern
    		Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Hérault
        • Lodève
    		[Le Règne Minéral 1997, 13, p.5-18]
    Le Règne Minéral, Hors Série IV (1998)
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Menzenschwand
    		Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Schwandorf
          • Wölsendorf Fluorite mining District
            • Wölsendorf East District (Wölsendorf - Nabburg District)
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Hunsrück Mts
        • Birkenfeld
          • Ellweiler
    		Aufschluss 69/(7+8), Lapis 79/(7+8)
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
      • Vogtland
        • Oelsnitz
    		Gröbner, J. and Kolitsch, U. (2007): The minerals of the uranium prospect at Tirpersdorf, Vogtland. Lapis 32, 37-42; 58. (in German)
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Mexico
     
    • Chihuahua
      • Mun. de Aquiles Serdán
        • Santa Eulalia District
          • West Camp
            • Francisco Portillo
    		Panczner(1987):220 & 284.
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Le Trient Valley
        • Les Marécottes
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 374.
    Tajikistan
     
    • Viloyati Sogd (Viloyati Sughd; Viloyati Khodzhent; Viloyati Leninabad)
      • Khodzhent (Leninabad)
        • Kyzyltyube-Sai
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Borough
        • Ketchikan District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Bristol Mts
          • Amboy
    		W. Wise - X-ray work at U.C. Santa Barbara
    • Colorado
      • Saguache Co.
        • Marshall Pass District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    • New Mexico
      • Cibola Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd. rev. ed. (1996)
    NMBMMR Memoir 15 Geology and Technology of the Grants Uranium Region
      • McKinley Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd Rev. Ed., 1996
    • New York
      • Essex Co.
        • Crown Point Township
    		Jensen (1978) Minerals of New York State
    George Robinson & Steven Chamberlain (2007) Gazetteer of major New York State mineral localities. Rocks & Minerals, 82, #6, 472-483.
    • Utah
      • Juab Co.
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    Rocks & Minerals: 68(6): 381-393.
      • Piute Co.
        • Marysvale District (Marysvale Uranium area)
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
      • San Juan Co.
        • White Canyon District
          • White Canyon
    		Can Min (2001) 39, 6, 1685-1689
      • Wayne Co.
        • Fruita
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Washington
      • Stevens Co.
        • Deer Trail District
          • Turtle Lake
    		Cannon, B. (1975): Minerals of Washington, p.53
    Mineral and/or Locality
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