SKLODOWSKITE

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Nesosilicates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : (H3O)2Mg(UO2)2(SiO4)2 2H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Sklodowskite is a hydrated uranium silicate, one of the countless secondary minerals that form in the surface zone of uranium deposits by oxidation of pitchblende. It was named in honor of Marie Sklodowska-Curie, a French physicist and chemist of Polish origin. She was, with her husband Pierre Curie, one of the pioneers in the study of radioactivity. Sklodowskite is rare, it forms very fine pale yellow to pale green acicular crystals, gathered in spherules or felts. The largest crystals reach 5 mm and are associated with other uranyl silicates or hydrated uranium oxides (billietite, curite, becquerelite, etc...).

Main photo : Sklodowskite from Musonoi, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo © Jason B. Smith

Sklodowskite from Musonoi, Kolwezi, D.R. Congo © Eugene & Sharon Cisneros
Sklodowskite from Shinkolobwe, Katanga, D.R. Congo © Vandall Thomas King
Sklodowskite from Kamoto, Lualaba, D.R. Congo © Elmar Lackner
Sklodowskite from Jomac Mine, Utah, USA © Alex Earl

Sklodowskite in the World

The most beautiful known sklodowskite crystals come from the Congolese deposit of Shinkolobwe (Katanga), where spectacular uraninite pseudomorphs were also discovered, and from Pedra Preta near Brumado (Bahia, Brazil). Sklodowskite is also present in other Katanga uranium deposits (Musonoï, Kalongwe), in deposits in Northern Australia (Nabarlek, Rum Jungle), and in deposits around Grants on the Colorado Plateau.

Sklodowskite in France

In France, sklodowskite is reported at Quistiav (Morbihan) and Rabejac (Hérault).

Twinning

Twinning is known on {001} and {100}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2 to 3
Density : 3.54
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Yellow

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.613 to 1.657
Birefringence : 0.043
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong

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