Uranocircita
Uranocircita is a mineral with formula Ba(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·10H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Cantera Streuberg, Bergen, Sajonia, Alemania and joined the Terrium collection in 1999.
Description
Scaly aggregates and yellow-brown rosettes on smoky quartz. Intense green fluorescence under UV. Perfect cleavage into flexible laminae... although perhaps somewhat fragile and dry.
History of this specimen
Collected in person by Steffen Wökel in 1999 at the Streuberg Quarry, near SDAG Wismut shaft 254, within the historic uranium belt used by the Soviet Union.
About Uranocircita
NEOFORMATION. Hydrated barium uranyl phosphate. It belongs to the autunite group and, together with autunite (Ca) and torbernite (Cu), forms its principal phosphate triad: A(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·nH₂O. It is one of the formerly so-called "uranium micas" for its platy-tabular habit. It forms in oxidation zones of uranium deposits. Natural radiation associated with uranium is often responsible for the smoky or dark hues of the quartz—almost as if burnt.
About the locality
The Streuberg Quarry, near Bergen/Vogtland, is part of the uranium belt exploited by SDAG Wismut. The area has yielded notable parageneses of secondary uranium minerals.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0150
- Composition
- Ba(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·10H₂O
- Name
- Uranocircita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- Matrix
- Cuarzo (Ahumado)
- Mine
- Cantera Streuberg
- District / Municipality
- Bergen
- Province
- Sajonia
- Country
- Alemania
- Size (cm)
- 7 x 4 x 4
- Weight
- 208 g
- Acquired
- 1999
- Ex-collection
- Steffen Wökel
- Etymology
- From the Greek "ouranos" (uranium) and "kirrhos" (yellow), in reference to the characteristic colour of its crystals.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable