Astrocyanite-(Ce)

 IMA-A 1989-032
Uranium 16b.1.6.1
(Dana Classification Number)
(Images) 5/F.06-05
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: From its morphology (shape and appearance), color and dominant lanthanide element
Alternate
    Name(s):
 
Mineral Class:
Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates
  Uranylcarbonates ([UO2]4+ - [CO3]2-)
    Astrocyanite-(Ce) - Bijvoetite-(Y) series
 
Chemical
    Formula:		 Cu2(Ce,Nd,La)2(UO2)(CO3)5(OH)2 · 1.5H2O)  
Chemical
    Composition:
Carbon: (C) 6.31%
Cerium: (Ce) 1.47%
Copper: (Cu) 13.36%
Hydrogen: (H) 0.78%
Oxygen: (O) 36.49%
Uranium: (U) 25.02%
REE2O3
    Lanthanum:
    Praeseodymium:
    Neodymium:
    Samarium:		  
(La)
(Pr)
(Nd)
(Sm)		  
2.92%
2.96%
9.10%
1.58%
by weight
Molecular
    Weight:		 951.38 daltons (amu)
Specific
    Radioactivity:

(All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen)

Specific Activity Dose Rate
Becquerels Curies milliRADs
per hour		 microSieverts
4.5191 × 1004 1.22 × 10-06 0.64 6.43

Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 3.6 RAD (3.6 centiSieverts)
Crystalography:
System: Hexagonal - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Axial Ratios: a: 1
c: 1.79545
Cell Dimensions: a: 14.96 Å
c: 26.86 Å
Z: 12
V: 5,205.95 Å3
DenCalc: 4.09
H-M Symbol: 6/m 2/m 2/m
Space Group: P6/mmm
X-Ray Diffraction:
  By Intensity ( I/Io )		 (1): 6.73 Å
(0.9): 3.72 Å
(0.6): 4.16 Å
 
Habit:
  		•  
    Cleavage:
    [???] Good
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 2 - 3  
    Density: 3.8 grams/cm3
    Color: Light blue, Bright blue, Blue-green  
    Streak: Bluish white, White  
    Luster: Vitreous - Dull  
    Diaphaniety: Translucent to Opaque  
    Pleochroism:
    (x):  
    (y:)  
    (z:)  
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:  
    Short Wave:  
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Alteration zone of copper, uranium and rare earth element containing mineral deposits
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Carrollite, Curite, Françoisite-(Nd), Kamotoite-(Y), Malachite, Masuyite, Planchéite, Schoepite, Schuilingite-(Nd), Shabaite-(Nd), Uraninite, Uranophane, Zeunerite

    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Astrocyanite-(Ce)
    Localities:

    Extremely rare

    Astrocyanite-(Ce) Localities
    Notes:

    Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays.

    Crystals are probably metamic.

    Astrocyanite Images

    Specimen
       
      Kamoto East mine, Kolwezi, Shaba (Katanga), Congo (Zaïre)
    w. Kamotoite-(Y) and Uraninite    		  

    Specimen Notes

    Occurance - This image of intergrown crystals of Astrocyanite-(Ce) surrounded by yellow Kamotoite-(Y) in the lower left quadrent. Black Uraninite is distributed throughout the specimen, but is seen primarily at the lower right side of the image.

    The Astrocyanite and Kamotoite are shown to be alteration products of the Uraninite. The proximity of the three to each other indicates that the Astrocyanite and Kamotoite were formed at approximately the same time. As the Astrocyanite contains both copper and a broader selection of rare earths, the mother liqure supplying the additional components as the Uraninite oxidized to Uranyl varied in its content over time.

    Pleochroism - The Astrocyanite-(Ce)'s pleochroism is seen quite well in the image, as the color changes with different crystals' aspects being viewed.

    Luster - The luster of the Astrocyanite is vitreous with considerable surface relief.

    Specimen Notes

    Occurrence -  

     

    Crystals -  

     

    Appearence -  

    Diaphaniety -

    Luster -

     

      -  

     

    Specimen Physical Properties
    Weight: x grams    
    g-Radiation Level:   cmp   msieverts background: 20 cpm