Formula: Ca(UO2)2[SiO3(OH)]2 . 5H2O
Origin of name: From composition and from Greek for to appear
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal class: 2
Twinning: Common on {001} contact or penetration
Unit cell: a = 6.632, b = 15.443, c = 13.966, β = 97.38°
Colour: Pale yellow, lemon-yellow to yellowish green
Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to silky, pearly on cleavage, waxy in aggregates
Habit: Crystals prismatic, nearly square cross section, to 8 mm or acicular, hair-like; radiated or tufted aggregates; massive
Hardness: 2.5-3
Specific gravity: 3.9
Cleavage: 1; {010} perfect, reported on {001}
Tenacity: Brittle, conchoidal fracture
Streak: Pale yellow
Synonyms/varieties: Beta-uranophaen, beta-uranotile, uranotile-beta
Comments: Fluoresces weak yellowish green; luster of fibrous aggregates silky; dimorphous with uranophane, radioactive
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