THOROGUMMITE

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Nesosilicates
    Crystal system : Tetragonal
    Chemistry : (Th,U)(SiO4)(OH)4
    Rarity : Rare

Thorogummite is a thorium hydroxylated silicate, the thoriferous equivalent of coffinite. Thorogummite is formed by supergene alteration of thorium minerals. This is a species that was discredited in 2014, it is now considered a variety of thorite. Its name comes from its chemical composition (thorium) and the Latin gummi (gum) in reference to its gum-like appearance. Thorogummite rarely occurs in acicular crystals of 3 mm or less, grouped in radiate aggregates, and mainly forms earthy nodules, cryptocrystalline aggregates and millimetric encrustations, yellowish to greenish gray, sometimes black.

Main photo : Thorite partially altered to thorogummite from Sherrer Quarry, Pennsylvania, USA © Harold Moritz

Thorogummite in the World

Thorogummite in the World We know thorogummite in nepheline syenites and alkaline massifs (steenstrupine thoriferous) from Mont St-Hilaire (Quebec), in 10 mm nodules, in the alkaline massifs of Lovozero (Kola, Russia), as well as in thorianite pegmatites from Madagascar (Taolagnaro), Japan, the United States and Great Britain.

Thorogummite in France

Thorogummite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twinning known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 5.5
Density : 4.49
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Translucent
RI : -
Birefringence : -
Optical character : -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Strong

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