Wyartite

Uranium bearing crystal
(repeating unit)CaU5+
(UO
2)
2(CO
3)O
4(OH)·7H2OIMA symbolWya[1]Strunz classification5.EA.15Crystal systemOrthorhombicCrystal classDisphenoidal (222)
Space group: (222)Space groupP212121IdentificationColorblack, violet-black (fresh); yellowish brown, greenish brown (exposed)Lustervitreous, sub-metallic, dullDiaphaneitytransparent, translucent, opaqueOther characteristics RadioactiveReferences[2][3]

Wyartite CaU5+
(UO
2)
2(CO
3)O
4(OH)·7H2O is a uranium bearing mineral named after Jean Wyart (1902–1992), mineralogist at the Sorbonne, Paris. It has greenish-black, black, or violet-black, translucent to opaque orthorhombic crystals.[4] It has a hardness of 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Its other names are ianthinite (of Bignand), wyartit and wyartita. It belongs to the uranium carbonate group of minerals. It is found next to rutherfordine in Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire.[4]

Determination of the structure of wyartite provided the first evidence for a pentavalent uranium mineral. Like all uranium minerals it is radioactive.

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mindat
  3. ^ Mineralienatlas
  4. ^ a b "Wyartite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.


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