Bassetita
Bassetita is a mineral with formula Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Wheal Basset, Basset Mines, Carnkie, Carn Brea, Cornwall, Reino Unido and joined the Terrium collection in 1982.
Description
Orange-brown bassetite rosettes composed of multiple acicular crystals, some parallel, the majority radiating, on a dark matrix.
History of this specimen
Historic piece from the type locality, which was acquired in 1982 from the famous portuguese dealer Montal for 3,250 pesetas. It comes from the collection of Carlos Prieto Paramio and retains its original handwritten label.
About Bassetita
A scientific rarity—a dimorph of meta-autunite. A hydrated uranyl calcium phosphate that forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidised zones of uranium deposits. Uncommon and particularly significant when from its type locality.
About the locality
Wheal Basset, part of the Basset Mines group, is one of the classic Cornwall localities. The area produced numerous secondary uranium species, including bassetite, which was first described from material from this mine.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0078
- Composition
- Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Name
- Bassetita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- Matrix
- Matriz oscura con costra irregular
- Associations
- Calcosina; posible uraninita
- Mine
- Wheal Basset, Basset Mines
- District / Municipality
- Carnkie
- Province
- Carn Brea
- Region
- Cornwall
- Country
- Reino Unido
- Size (cm)
- 4 x 3.3 x 1
- Weight
- 13.7 g
- Acquired
- 1982
- Ex-collection
- Carlos Prieto Paramio
- Etymology
- Named after the Basset Mines group in Cornwall, England, where it was first described in 1915.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Al alza