Tyuyamunite

Uranium mineral
1+1⁄2 – 2LustreAdamantine, waxy, pearly on {101}, dullStreakYellowDiaphaneityTranslucent to opaqueSpecific gravity3.57 – 4.35Optical propertiesBiaxial (−)Refractive indexnα = 1.675 nβ = 1.860 – 1.870 nγ = 1.885 – 1.895Birefringence0.210 – 0.220Pleochroismweak: X = nearly colourless, Y = pale canary yellow, Z = canary yellow2V angle30° to 45°DispersionnoneOther characteristics RadioactiveReferences[2][3][4][5]

Tyuyamunite (pronounced tuh-YOO-ya-moon-ite) is a very rare uranium mineral with formula Ca(UO2)2V2O8·(5–8)H2O. It is a member of the carnotite group. It is a bright, canary-yellow color because of its high uranium content. Also, because of tyuyamunite's high uranium content, it is radioactive.[6] It was named by Konstantin Avtonomovich Nenadkevich, in 1912, after its type locality, Tyuya-Muyun, Fergana Valley, Kyrgyzstan.[3]

Formation and transformation

Tyuyamunite is formed by the weathering of uraninite, a uranium-bearing mineral. Tyuyamunite, being a hydrous mineral, contains water. Yet when it is exposed to the atmosphere it loses its water. This process changes tyuyamunite into a different mineral known as metatyuyamunite[6] Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2·3-5H2O.[7]

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. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. ^ a b Tyuyamunite at Mindat
  4. ^ Tyuyamunite data on Webmineral
  5. ^ Tyuyamunite at Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery
  6. ^ a b Lynch, Dan R. and Bob Lynch, "Tyuyamunite," Ed. Brett Ortler, Michigan Rocks & Minerals, Adventure Publications, 2010 ISBN 978-1591932390
  7. ^ Metatyuyamunite on Mindat

External links

Look up tyuyamunite in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
  • Tyuyamunite at Mindat
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