Sklodowskite

Sklodowskite
Sklodowskite on gypsum
General
Category	Nesosilicate
Formula (repeating unit)	Mg(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·5H2O
IMA symbol	Sds[1]
Strunz classification	9.AK.10
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	C2/m
Identification
Colour	Light yellow to green-yellow
Cleavage	Perfect on {100}
Mohs scale hardness	2 - 3
Lustre	Adamantine, vitreous, silky
Streak	Yellow
Diaphaneity	Transparent, translucent
Density	3.54 g/cm^3
Other characteristics	Radioactive

Sklodowskite is a uranium mineral with the chemical formula: Mg(UO₂)₂(HSiO₄)₂·5H₂O. It is a secondary mineral which contains magnesium and is a bright yellow colour, its crystal habit is acicular, but can form in other shapes. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2–3. It is named after the maiden name of Marie Skłodowska Curie.[2] It is the magnesium analogue of the much more common uranium mineral Cuprosklodowskite, which contains copper instead.

It was discovered by Alfred Schoep [de] (1881–1966) in 1924.

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. "Sklodowskite". mindat.org.

• A. Schoep, La sklodowskite, nouveau mineral radioactif, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 179, 143 (1924)