TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Becquerelita

Becquerelita is a mineral with formula Ca(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆·8H₂O, in the Óxidos group. This specimen comes from Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Alto Katanga, República Democrática del Congo (ex-Zaire) and joined the Terrium collection in 1950.

Becquerelita from Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Alto Katanga, República Democrática del Congo (ex-Zaire) — Terrium

Description

Orange crusts of becquerelite and yellow uranophane on massive black uraninite. Strong chromatic contrast between the metallic black matrix and the uranium yellow–orange. Specimen stable at 27.5 µSv/h.

History of this specimen

Double lineage. Comes with its original handwritten label, 1950–1970.

About Becquerelita

Becquerelite is a calcium uranyl oxyhydroxide that forms by alteration of uraninite. It occurs here associated with uranophane and remnants of curite in a compact matrix. The orange tones arise from its variable hydration and partial transition to secondary phases.

About the locality

Shinkolobwe is one of the world’s most emblematic uranium deposits. It supplied material for research into radioactivity and was worked during the first half of the 20th century. More than forty distinct uranium mineral species developed in its oxidation zones.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0210
Composition
Ca(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆·8H₂O
Name
Becquerelita
Group
Óxidos
Category
Núcleus Ardens
Matrix
Uraninita maciza
Associations
uranofana
Mine
Shinkolobwe Mine
District / Municipality
Shinkolobwe
Province
Katanga Copper Crescent
Region
Alto Katanga
Country
República Democrática del Congo (ex-Zaire)
Size (cm)
2.7 x 1.5 x 1
Weight
6.4 g
Acquired
1950
Ex-collection
Bleschnik → Lanthinius
Etymology
From Henri Becquerel, discoverer of radioactivity; and from uranophane, from the Greek "ouranos" (sky/uranium) and "phanos" (bright).
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

Related specimens

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