Formula: (Th,U)SiO4
Origin of name: from composition
Crystal system: Tetragonal, commonly metamict
Crystal class: 4/m 2/m 2/m
Twinning: Penetration
Unit cell: a = 7.117, c = 6.295
Colour: Brownish yellow, yellow to orange-yellow, brownish black to dark brown, reddish
Diaphaneity: Nearly opaque, transparent in thin fragments
Luster: Vitreous to resinous or greasy
Habit: Crystals square prisms, terminated by {111}, pseudo-octahedral, to 8 cm, massive, compact
Hardness: 4.5 (approximate)
Specific gravity: 6.6-7.2
Cleavage: 1, {110} distinct
Tenacity: Brittle, conchoidal fracture
Streak: Light orange to dark brown
Synonyms/varieties: Orangite
Comments: dimorphous with huttonite, density increases with increase in water content. Radioactive, paramagnetic
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