Metatorbernita
Metatorbernita is a mineral with formula Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Calo, Vimianzo, A Coruña, Galicia, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2003.
Description
Excellent crystallization of grass-green metatorbernite on a quartz matrix. They show dipyramidal forms truncated by pinacoidal faces. Or, in other words, tetragonal or hexagonal crystals shaped like a double pyramid, one on top of the other, whose tips are replaced by flat faces. I call them little barrels, and they are wonderful under the loupe. 5.80 µSv/h
History of this specimen
A piece from the 2003 find made by Doctor of Geology Manuel Montes in the Calo quartz vein, now exhausted. I met him purely by chance at the Tomares swap table in 2025. Another one whose descendants are not interested in minerals or the collection. He explained to us that when he came across the geode his legs were trembling, that he fell to the ground with his mouth open, and that although he did not manage to find the 60,000 new tons of kaolin he was supposed to find for the company that had hired him, he found something much more important. The Geiger counter was lent to him by the people from Carburos Metálicos because they did not have one, he measured a box he had filled with samples, and there he confirmed that it really was, as he believed, metatorbernite.
About the locality
On May 16, 2003, while studying new kaolinized zones within the granite area of Calo (Vimianzo, Galicia), geologist Manuel Montes Martínez discovered in this open-pit mine a cavity about three meters across filled with torbernite crystals. The crystals are not very large, but their quality is extraordinary; they rank among the best crystallized specimens in Europe. Pieces are scarce and highly sought after.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0075
- Composition
- Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Name
- Metatorbernita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- Matrix
- Cuarzo
- Mine
- Calo
- District / Municipality
- Vimianzo
- Province
- A Coruña
- Region
- Galicia
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 5.5 x 3 x 2.5
- Weight
- 58.1 g
- Acquired
- 2003
- Etymology
- From the Swedish chemist Torbern Olof Bergman, in recognition of his contributions to analytical chemistry.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España