TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


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.

Uranocircita from Mina Diéresis, El Cabril (Hornachuelos), Córdoba, Andalucía, España — Terrium

Description

Two small specimens that are daughters of (0212)

History of this specimen

While I was handling (0212), it broke and "gave birth" to two small specimens. 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 in colour with a pearly lustre. It forms in the oxidised zone of uranium deposits, usually as laminar or microcrystalline aggregates. And rutile is one of the five forms of titanium dioxide, TiO2, a polymorph of brookite. Although in fact this is the niobium-bearing variety, ilmenorutile.

About the locality

The Sierra Albarrana, in northern Córdoba, is one of the classic Spanish uranium localities, with autunite, uranocircite, torbernite and metauranocircite occurring in fractures of quartzites and gneisses.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0371
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
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 Stone") in Bavaria, Germany.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

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