SCHRÖCKINGERITE

    Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Uranyl carbonates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : NaCa3(UO2)(CO3)3SO4F 10H2O
    Rarity : Fairly common

Schröckingerite is a secondary uranium carbonate, which has a complex crystalline structure integrating SO4 sulphate groups, fluorine and UO2 groups. It is a secondary mineral of often very recent formation, which crystallizes in the surface zone of quite diverse uranium environments. Its often very recent formation is notably attested by the efflorescences dotting the galleries of the Hillside uranium mine (Arizona). It was named in honor of Baron Julius Freiherr Schröckinger von Neudenberg who discovered the mineral in Jachymov (Czech Republic). Schröckingerite consists of pseudohexagonal lamellae classically gathered in rosettes, incrustations, pisoliths, or lamellar globular aggregates, of greenish yellow color.


Main photo : Schröckingerite from Svornost Mine, Jáchymov, Czech Republic © Travis Olds

Schröckingerite from Isolagrande Mine, Liguria, Italy © Stephan Wolfsried
Schröckingerite from Plavno mine, Czech Republic © Bohuslav Bures
Schröckingerite from Blue Streak Mine, Colorado, USA © Storm Sears
Schröckingerite under UV from Blue Streak Mine, Colorado, USA © Storm Sears

Schröckingerite in the World

The most beautiful known crystals of schröckingerite are lamellae 1 mm in diameter and 20 µm thick discovered in the Shinarump mine, in the Moab district (Utah). Another classic site of this mineral is Lost Creek, near Wamsutter (Wyoming), where schröckingerite forms abundant spherical aggregates in gypsum clays. It is a mineral also known in alteration around uraninite nodules, notably at Jachymov (Czech Republic) and Johanngeorgenstadt (Saxony, Germany).

Schröckingerite in France

In France, schröckingerite is reported at the Ronchamp coal mine (Haute-Saône), at Kruth (Haut-Rhin) and at Saint-Léger-de-Peyre (Lozère).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5
Density : 2.51
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Undetermined

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.495 to 1.584
Birefringence : 0.049
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : Green

Solubility : Water, acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Strong

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