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Piretite

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Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
© Brent Thorne

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 ·4H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Lemon-yellow
Lustre:PearlyHardness:2½
Name:For Dr. Paul Piret (1932- ), Professor of Crystallography, University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
This page provides mineralogical data about Piretite.

Classification of Piretite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/K.11-28
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.JJ.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
J : Arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites; iodates
J : Selenites with additional anions, with H2O
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Type Occurrence of Piretite

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

Physical Properties of Piretite

Lustre:Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Lemon-yellow
Streak:Pale yellow
Hardness (Mohs):2½

Crystallography of Piretite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic

Optical Data of Piretite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.540 nβ = 1.730 nγ = 1.750
2V:Measured: 33° , Calculated: 32°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.210

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

Chemical Properties of Piretite

Formula:
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 ·4H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, H, O, Se, U
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, O, Se, U

Relationship of Piretite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.JJ.05Marthozite
Cu(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
·7H
 
2
O
4.JJ.10Guilleminite
Ba(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
4.JJ.20Demesmaekerite
Pb
 
2
Cu
 
5
(UO
 
2
)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
6
(OH)
 
6
·2H
 
2
O
4.JJ.25Haynesite
(UO
 
2
)
 
3
(OH)
 
2
(SeO
 
3
)
 
2
·5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Piretite

Synonyms:
IMA1996-002
Other Languages:
German:Piretit
Spanish:Piretita

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 Piretite

Reference List:Mineralogical Record: 28: 404.

Canadian Mineralogist (1996): 34: 1317-1322.

Internet Links for Piretite

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    Localities for Piretite

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    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.
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Central area
          • Shinkolobwe
    		Can Min (1996), 34 (6), p. 1317
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