Swartzite

 IMA-GP
Uranium 15.3.3.2
(Dana Classification Number)
(Images) 5/F.02-30
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Charles K. Swartz (1861-1949), geologist and mineralogist, John Hopkins University
Alternate
    Name(s):
  		•  
    Mineral Class:
    Nitrates, Carbonates and Borates
      Uranylcarbonates ([UO2]+2 - [CO3]-2)
        Grimselite - Liebigite series
    		 
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 CaMg(UO2)(CO3)3 · 12H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Calcium: (Ca) 5.49%
    Carbon: (C) 4.93%
    Hydrogen: (H) 3.31%
    Magnesium: (Mg) 3.33%
    Oxygen: (O) 50.37%
    Uranium: (U) 32.58%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 730.62 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

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

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour
    5.8316 × 1004 1.58 × 10-06 0.87 87.47

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Monoclinic - Prismatic
    Axial Ratios: a: 0.7554
    b: 1
    c: 0.4395
    Cell Dimensions: a: 11.12 Å
    b: 14.72 Å
    c: 6.47 Å
    Z: 2
    b: 99.433°
    V: 1,044.73 Å3
    DenCalc: 2.32
    H-M Symbol: 2/m
    Space Group: P21/m
    X-Ray Diffraction:
      By Intensity ( I/Io )    		 (1): 5.5 Å
    (1): 8.76 Å
    (0.9): 7.31 Å
    		 
    Habit:
  • Efflorescences
  • Prismatic
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [001]  
    [010]  
    [100]  
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		    
    Density: 2.3 grams/cm3
    Color: Shiny green (to yellowish-white when dehydrated)  
    Streak: White  
    Luster:    
    Diaphaneity:    
    Pleochroism:
    (x): Colorless
    (y:) Yellow
    (z:) Yellow
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave: Bright green
    Short Wave: Bright green
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Mine wall efflorescence
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Andersonite, Bayleyite, Gypsum, Johannite, Schröckingerite, Uraninite, Zinc-Zippeite, Zippeite

    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Swartzite
    Locations:

    Very rare

    Swartzite Locations
    Notes:

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

    Crystals are probably metamic.

    Swartzite Images

    (001a) (001b) (001c) (001d)

     
    Rifle mine, East Rifle Creek area, Garfield Co., Colorado, U.S.A.


    Specimen Notes

    The specimen consists of loose granules of greenish-white Swartzite admixed with granules of Tyuyamunite. The clusters of Tyuyamunite microcrystals are very easily broken apart.

    The clusters that are individually examined in images (001b), (001c) and (001d) are some of the larger clusters in the sample. From appearences, the granules were free formed.

     

    Crystals - microcrystals only. Crystal form is not discernable at 30X magnification.

     

    Appearence -  

    Diaphaniety -

    Luster -

     

      -  

     

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