SODDYITE

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

Soddyite is a hydrated uranium silicate, one of the many secondary minerals present in the oxidation zone of uranium deposits. It is a rare mineral, exceptionally common in the Shinkolobwe deposit (Kantanga), where it is associated with kasolite, curite and metatorbernite. It was named in honor of the British physicist and radiochemist Frederick Soddy, to whom we owe the explanation of the mechanism of disintegration of atoms. Soddyite is lemon yellow to amber yellow, sometimes light green, it composes millimeter-sized crystals in the shape of acute bipyramids or elongated and striated prisms.

Main photo : Soddyite of Musonoï, Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo © Gianfranco Ciccolini

Soddyite from Swamb Hill, Katanga, DR Congo © Luigi Chiappino
Soddyite from Swamb Hill, Katanga, DR Congo © Uwe Haubenreisser
Soddyite from Swaambo Hill, Katanga, D.R. Congo © Harold Moritz
Soddyite from Swaambo Hill, Katanga, D.R. Congo © Christophe Boutry

Soddyite in the World

The best samples of soddyite are 3 mm crystals from Shinkolobwe and Swambo (Katanga). In this second deposit, soddyite forms veinlets cutting siliceous breccias. The Katangese deposit of Musonoi has also yielded good specimens, as has the large American deposit of Laguna, near Grants (New Mexico). Soddyite is also known in pegmatites, such as at Ruggles near Grafton Center, where it replaces uraninite crystals (pseudomorph).

Soddyite in France

In France, soddyite is reported at Mas d'Alary (Hérault).

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3 to 4
Density : 4.63 to 4.70
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Yellow

TP : Opaque to transparent
RI : 1.650 to 1.715
Birefringence : 0.049 to 0.061
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Weak
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Hydrochloric acid

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Very strong

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