SCHOEPITE

    Class : Oxides and hydroxides
    Subclass : Uranyl hydroxides
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : (UO2)4O(OH)6 6H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Schoepite is a uranium hydroxide that forms as a replacement for uraninite at the boundary of the oxidation zone and the primary ore, where it frequently derives from the hydration of ianthinite. Quite unstable, it dehydrates into meta-schoepite and para-schoepite. It was named in honor of Professor of Mineralogy Alfred Schoep of the University of Genth (Belgium). Schoepite forms tabular pseudohexagonal crystals, sometimes millimeter-sized, grouped in lamellar aggregates. Its color is lemon yellow to sulfur yellow, the luster generally adamantine.

Main photo : Schoepite from Krunkelbach Valley, Germany © Michael Förch

Schoepite with ianthinite inclusions from Shinkolobwe, D.R. Congo © Stephan Wolfsried
Schoepite from Shinkolobwe, D.R. Congo © Stephan Wolfsried
Schoepite from Musonoï, Kolwezi, D.R. Congo © Uwe Haubenreisser
Schoepite from Rabejac, Hérault, France © Stephan Wolfsried

Schoepite in the World

Schoepite was discovered in the Kasolo mine in Shinkolobwe (Democratic Republic of Congo), where it is associated with uraninite, whose crystals it sometimes completely replaced (pseudomorph). It is present in particular in American uranium deposits on the Colorado Plateau, as well as in several Japanese deposits and in Wölsendorf (Germany).

Schoepite in France

In France, schoepite is known in the yellow gummites of Margnac (Haute-Vienne) associated with billietite. It is also reported in the Bois Noirs (Loire), in Lachaux (Puy-de-Dôme), at the Bel Air mine (Deux-Sèvres) as well as in Rabejac and Mas d'Alary (Hérault).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5
Density : 4.8
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Yellow

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.690 to 1.735
Birefringence : 0.040
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : Green

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong

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