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Astrocyanite-(Ce)

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Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Paul De Bondt

Show Astrocyanite-(Ce) Photos (6)



Formula:
Cu
 
2
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
2
 · 1.5H
 
2
O
System:HexagonalColour:Bright blue
Lustre:VitreousHardness:2½
Name:From the Greek άστρον ("astron") for "star", κυανός ("kyanos") for "blue", in allusion to its colour and habit of the aggregates, and the dominant lanthanide element in its composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Astrocyanite-(Ce).

Classification of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

IMA status:Approved 1989
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/F.06-05
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.EF.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
E : Uranyl Carbonates
F : UO2:CO3 = 1:5
Dana 8th edition ID:16b.1.6.1

16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : AmBn(XO3)pZqxH2O & with (m+n):p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.11.17

11 : Carbonates
11 : Carbonates of Cr and U
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Type Occurrence of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Type Locality:Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)

Physical Properties of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Bright blue
Streak:White, blue (bluish)
Hardness (Mohs):2½

Crystallography of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Crystal System:Hexagonal

Optical Data of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.688 nε = 1.638
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.050

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate

Chemical Properties of Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Formula:
Cu
 
2
(Ce,Nd,La)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
2
 · 1.5H
 
2
O
Essential elements:C, Ce, Cu, H, O, U
All elements listed in formula:C, Ce, Cu, H, La, Nd, O, U

Relationship of Astrocyanite-(Ce) to other Species

Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.11.1Stichtite
Mg
 
6
Cr
 
2
(OH)
 
16
[CO
 
3
] · 4H
 
2
O
11.11.2Rutherfordine
(UO
 
2
)CO
 
3
11.11.3Joliotite
(UO
 
2
)CO
 
3
 · nH
 
2
O
11.11.4Grimselite
K
 
3
Na(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
11.11.5Bayleyite
Mg
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.6Metazellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.7Zellerite
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
11.11.8Wyartite
CaU
5+
 
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)O
 
4
(OH) · 7H
 
2
O
11.11.9Urancalcarite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.11.10Sharpite
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
5
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.11Voglite
Ca
 
2
Cu(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.12Andersonite
Na
 
2
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.13Swartzite
MgCa(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 12H
 
2
O
11.11.14Rabbittite
Ca
 
3
Mg
 
3
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 18H
 
2
O
11.11.15Kamotoite-(Y)
Y
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
O
 
4
 · 14H
 
2
O
11.11.16Shabaite-(Nd)
Ca(Nd,Sm,Y)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.11.18Bijvoetite-(Y)
(Y,Dy)
 
2
(UO
 
2
)
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 11H
 
2
O
11.11.19Widenmannite
Pb
 
2
(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
11.11.20Znucalite
Zn
 
12
Ca(UO
 
2
)(CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
22
 · 4H
 
2
O

Other Names for Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Synonyms:
IMA1989-032
Other Languages:
German:Astrocyanit-(Ce)

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 Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Reference List:

- +
New Minerals (1997), New Minerals 1990-1994.

European Journal of Mineralogy (1990): 2: 407-411.

Best Localities for Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Best of Species:Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Internet Links for Astrocyanite-(Ce)

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    • Localities for Astrocyanite-(Ce)

    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.
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    (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.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Kolwezi District
          • Kamoto
    		[Mandarino, 1997]; Eur. J. Mineral., 1990, 2
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