Schoepite
Encyclopedia
Schoepite, empirical formula (UO2)8O(OH)12•12(H2O) is a rare alteration product of uraninite
in hydrothermal uranium
deposits. It may also form directly from ianthinite. The mineral
presents as a transparent to translucent yellow, lemon yellow, brownish yellow, or amber orthorhombic tabular crystals. Although over 20 other crystal forms have been noted; rarely in microcrystalline aggregates. When exposed to air schoepite converts over a short time to the metaschoepite form (UO3 • nH2O, n < 2) within a few months of being exposed to ambient air.
The hardness is 2.5, density is 4.8 g/cm3, and it streaks yellow.
It was first described from specimens from Shinkolobwe mine in Zaïre
in 1923, several additional localities are known.
Schoepite was named to honor Alfred Schoep (1881-1966), Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Ghent, Belgium
.
Uraninite
Uraninite is a radioactive, uranium-rich mineral and ore with a chemical composition that is largely UO2, but also contains UO3 and oxides of lead, thorium, and rare earth elements...
in hydrothermal uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
deposits. It may also form directly from ianthinite. The mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
presents as a transparent to translucent yellow, lemon yellow, brownish yellow, or amber orthorhombic tabular crystals. Although over 20 other crystal forms have been noted; rarely in microcrystalline aggregates. When exposed to air schoepite converts over a short time to the metaschoepite form (UO3 • nH2O, n < 2) within a few months of being exposed to ambient air.
The hardness is 2.5, density is 4.8 g/cm3, and it streaks yellow.
It was first described from specimens from Shinkolobwe mine in Zaïre
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
in 1923, several additional localities are known.
Schoepite was named to honor Alfred Schoep (1881-1966), Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Ghent, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.