Uranocircita
Uranocircita is a mineral with formula Ba(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·10H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Diéresis, El Cabril (Hornachuelos), Córdoba, Andalucía, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2001.
Description
Yellowish-green uranocircite crusts on dark matrix with reddish areas and black coatings of ilmenorutile (niobian rutile). Waxy lustre and micaceous aspect, with flat crystalline aggregates that partially cover the surface. Emits 5.40 µSv/h.
History of this specimen
Comes with its original handwritten label. While I was handling it, it broke and "gave birth" to two small pieces. The previous owner, González del Tánago & Chanrai, is the author of the book "Minerales y minas de Madrid".
About Uranocircita
Uranocircite is a hydrated uranium–barium phosphate, yellowish green with a pearly lustre. It forms in the oxidation zone of uraniferous deposits, commonly as laminar or microcrystalline aggregates. Rutile is one of the five forms of titanium dioxide, TiO2, a polymorph with brookite. Although in this case it is the niobium-bearing variety, ilmenorutile.
About the locality
The Sierra Albarrana, in northern Córdoba, is one of the classic Spanish uranium-mineral localities, with autunite, uranocircite, torbernite and metauranocircite formed in fractures of quartzites and gneisses.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0212
- Composition
- Ba(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·10H₂O
- Name
- Uranocircita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Núcleus Ardens
- Matrix
- Roca oscura con zonas rojizas y costras verdosas
- Associations
- rutilo, niobio
- Mine
- Mina Diéresis
- District / Municipality
- El Cabril (Hornachuelos)
- Province
- Córdoba
- Region
- Andalucía
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 6.2 x 5 x 2.2
- Weight
- 139.4 g
- Acquired
- 2001
- Ex-collection
- González del Tánago & Chanrai
- Etymology
- From the element uranium and the Greek "kirkos" (falcon), in honour of the type locality Falkenstein ("Falcon's Stone") in Bavaria, Germany.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
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- Abernathyita — España
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- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España