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Wyartite

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Wyartite
General
CategoryCarbonate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
CaU5+
(UO
2
)
2
(CO
3
)O
4
(OH)
·7H2O
IMA symbolWya[1]
Strunz classification5.EA.15
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDisphenoidal (222)
Space group: (222)
Space groupP212121
Identification
Colorblack, violet-black (fresh); yellowish brown, greenish brown (exposed)
Lustervitreous, sub-metallic, dull
Diaphaneitytransparent, translucent, opaque
Other characteristics Radioactive
References[2][3]

Wyartite CaU5+
(UO
2
)
2
(CO
3
)O
4
(OH)
·7H2O is a uranium bearing mineral named after Jean Wyart (1902–1992), mineralogist at the Sorbonne, Paris. It has greenish-black, black, or violet-black, translucent to opaque orthorhombic crystals.[4] It has a hardness of 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Its other names are ianthinite (of Bignand), wyartit and wyartita. It belongs to the uranium carbonate group of minerals. It is found next to rutherfordine in Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire.[4]

Determination of the structure of wyartite provided the first evidence for a pentavalent uranium mineral. Like all uranium minerals it is radioactive.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mindat
  3. ^ Mineralienatlas
  4. ^ a b "Wyartite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.