Weeksite

Formula: (K,Na)2(UO2)2Si5O13.4H2O

Origin of name: for Alice Mary Dowse Weeks (1909-1988), professor of mineralogy, Temple University (Philadelphia, USA), mineralogist with the U.S. Geological Survey, noted specialist in the mineralogy of uranium and vanadium

 

Crystal system: Orthorhombic

Crystal class: 2/m 2/m 2/m

Twinning:

Unit cell: a = 14.26 Å, b = 35.88 Å, c = 14.20 Å

 

Colour: Yellow

Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent

Luster: Waxy to silky

Habit: crystals acicular, in small spherulites, bladed

Hardness: 1-2

Specific gravity: about 4.1

Cleavage: 2; prismatic distinct

Tenacity: 

Streak: Yellow

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments:  Radioactive

 

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