Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Formula:  Cu₂(Ce, Nd, La)₂(UO₂)(CO₃)₅(OH)₂^.1.5H₂O

Origin of name:  From Greek astron = star and kyanos = blue

Crystal system:  Hexagonal

Crystal class:  6/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 14.96 Å, c = 26.86 Å

Colour:  Pale blue, light blue, blue-green

Diaphaneity: Translucent to opaque

Luster:  Vitreous

Habit:  Tablets forming millimetre sized rosettes

Hardness:  2 to 3

Specific gravity:  3.8

Cleavage:  1; {001}

Tenacity:

Streak: bluish white

Synonyms/varieties:

Comments:  Soluble with effervescence in dilute HCl