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Mineral - Autunite

AutuniteCa[(UO₂)(PO₄)]₂·11H₂O
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Phosphates
Toxicity
radioactive
Formula
Ca[(UO₂)(PO₄)]₂·11H₂O
Unit Cell
a=6.99 c=20.63 Z=2
Physical Properties
Hardness
2 - 2.5
Streak
yellow
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Perfect after {001}
Fracture
smooth
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
yellowgreen
Birefringence
0.003
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent
Pleochroism
X: Farblos-Gelb Y-Z: Gelb-Grün
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
orthorhombic
Point Group
orthorhombic-dipyramidal - 2/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group
Pmna (53)
Habit
leafy, book-shaped, tabular
Formation
Secondary, in the oxidation zone of uranium deposits, then mostly in magmatic pegamtites from the alteration of primary U-minerals, like Uraninite In hydrothermal deposits
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Autunite
Composition
Elements
Mass
UO₃
60.84
P₂O₅
13.40
CaO
5.31
H₂O
20.33
France (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Autunite-Group

Name and first discovery: Named after a French town near the type locality. First described in 1852.

Chemism: 

Synonyms: calcouranite, uranite

Varieties: 

Abbreviation: Aut

 

Famous locations

(TL) Type locality                           (analysis) Chemical element distribution, see above

 

France

(TL) Saint-Symphorien-de-Marmagne, Autun, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Les Oudots Quarry, Charolles, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Margnac Mine, Compreignac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Le Boucheron, Davignac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Altier, Mende, Occitania, France

Margabal Mine, Rodez, Occitania, France

Les Bois-Noirs Mining Claim, Saint-Priest-la-Prugne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

 

Australia

Mount Painter, Arkaroola, South Australia, Australia

 

Brazil

Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil

São Pedro Claim, Malacacheta, Minas Gerais, Brazil

 

China

Nanjingqiao U Deposit, Pingjiang County, Hunan, China

Quanzhou County, Guilin, Guangxi, China

 

Germany

Heilmann Quarry, Kirchberg, Saxony, Germany

Streuberg Quarry, Bergen, Saxony, Germany

Grube Himmelfahrt, Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany

Krunkelbach Valley, Menzenschwand, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

 

Italy

Montefallonio Prospect, Peveragno, Piedmont, Italy

 

Pakistan

Nyet Bruk, Braldu Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

 

Portugal

Infesta Mine, Viariz, Porto, Portugal

Assunção Mine, Aldeia Nova, Viseu, Portugal

Pinhal do Souto Mine, Tragos, Viseu, Portugal

 

Spain

Albuquerque Batholith, Tres Arroyos, Extremadura, Spain

 

Czech Republic

Kladská, Mariánské Lázně, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

 

USA

Daybreak Mine, Mount Kit Carson, Spokane County, Washington, USA

 

 

Literature

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1952). Dana's system of mineralogy. GeologiskaFöreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 74(2), 218-219.