Schoepite

Schoepite, empirical formula (UO₂)₄O(OH)₆ • 6(H₂O) is a rare alteration product of uraninite in hydrothermal uranium deposits it also may form directly from ianthinite. The mineral presents as a transparent to translucent yellow, lemon yellow, brownish yellow, or amber orthorhombic tabular crystals. Although over 20 other crystal forms have been noted; rarely in microcrystalline aggregates. When exposed to air schoepite converts over a short time to the metaschoepite form (UO₃ • nH₂O, n < 2) within a few months of being exposed to ambient air. samples are strongly radioactive α-particles and β-particles, γ-rays.

The hardness is 2.5, density is 4.8, and it streaks yellow.

It was first described from specimens from Shinkolobwe Mine in Zaïre in 1923, several additional localities are known.

Schoepite was named to honor Alfred Schoep (1881-1966), Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Ghent, Belgium, who contributed much to the mineralogy of uranium.

References

* [http://webmineral.com/data/Schoepite.shtml General schoepite information]
* [http://www.mindat.org/min-3574.html Classification of Schoepite]
* [http://www.uraniumminerals.com/UTh/Schoepite.htm Schoepite datasheet]