Turkestanite

 IMA-A 1996-036
Uranium 63.1.1.3
(Dana Classification Number)
(No Images) 8/E.10-40
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Its discovery locality, along the Turkestan Ridge
Alternate
    Name(s):
  		• Named after
    Mineral Class:
    Silicates
      Cyclosilicates, double quadruplet rings [Si8O20]8-
        Ekanite - Steacyite series
    		 
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 Th(Ca,Na)2(K1-x,[ ]x)Si8O20 · 0.5-1H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Calcium: (Ca) 6.84%
    Hydrogen: (H) 0.69%
    Oxygen: (O) 41.84%
    Potassium: (K) 2.67%
    Silicon: (Si) 25.55%
    Sodium: (Na) 1.31%
    Thorium: (Th) 21.11%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 879.42 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

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

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour
    9.457 × 1003 2.56 × 10-07 0.14 14.17

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Tetragonal - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
    Axial Ratios: a:c = 1:1.95258
    Cell Dimensions: a = 7.592, c = 14.824, Z = 2; V = 854.43 Den(Calc) = 3.42
    H-M Symbol: 4/m 2/m 2/m
    Space Group: P4/mcc
    X Ray Diffraction: By Intensity(I/Io): 3.4(1) 5.31(0.7) 2.654(0.59)
    		 
    Habit:
  • Granular
  • Euhedral Crystals
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [111] Imperfect
    		 
    Fracture: Brittle - Conchoidal  
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 5.5 - 6  
    Density: 3.36 grams/cm3
    Color: Yellowish green, Brown  
    Streak: White  
    Luster: Vitreous  
    Diaphaneity: Transparent  
    Pleochroism:
    (x):
    (y:)
    (z:)
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:
    Short Wave:
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Found in the albitized exocontact zone at the Djelisu and Dara-Pioz alkaline complexes.
  		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Aegirine, Albite, Analcime, Arfvedsonite, Astrophyllite, Biotite, Calcite, Cancrinite, Diopside, Eudialyte, Fluorapatite, Fluorite, Galena, Hastingsite, Hedenbergite, Kupletskite, Leucosphenite, Microcline, 'Mosandrite', Muscovite, Nepheline, Neptunite, Pectolite, Polylithionite, Pyrochlore, Quartz, Riebeckite, Rinkite, Sphalerite, Titanite

    Mineral   -   > 75% of sites
    Mineral   -   > 50% of sites
    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Turkestanite
    Locations:

    Very rare

    Turkestanite Locations
    Notes:

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

    Crystals are probably metamic.

    The calcium dominant analog of steacyite.