Torbernita
Torbernita is a mineral with formula Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·12H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Calo, Vimianzo, A Coruña, Galicia, España.
Description
Excellent crystallization of grass-green torbernite 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 the geologist 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, torbernite.
About Torbernita
Torbernite is a secondary copper uranium phosphate that characteristically occurs in the alteration zones of primary uranium minerals.
About the locality
A unique uranium phosphate deposit in a context of kaolinization within granite. On May 16, 2003, while studying new kaolinized zones within the Calo granitic area (Vimianzo, Galicia), geologist Dr. Manuel Montes Martínez discovered a three-meter cavity filled with torbernite crystals in this open-pit mine. The crystals do not reach large sizes, but their quality is extraordinary, ranking among the finest crystallized specimens in Europe. These pieces are scarce and highly sought-after.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0075
- Composition
- Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·12H₂O
- Name
- Torbernita
- 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
- Etymology
- Named after Swedish chemist Torbern Olof Bergman, in recognition of his contributions to analytical chemistry.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Aragonito (Blanco (Bulboso)) — España
- Barita — España
- Calcita (Dorada) — España
- Jacinto de Compostela — España
- Magnetita — España
- Magnetita — España
- Malaquita (Microbotrioidal) — España
- Piromorfita — China