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Curite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Curite
Pierre Curie
Formula:
Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
Colour:
Deep to light red-orange, orange, scarlet, yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
6.98 - 7.4
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After Pierre Curie (15 May 1859, Paris, France – 19 April 1906, Paris, France), a physicist famous for his research with his wife, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, on radioactivity. They, along with Henri Becquerel, were awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics for their research. They also discovered the elements polonium and radium.
Pb is (or may be) slightly over-stoichiometric.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1197
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1197:2
Similar Names
| Cerite | A synonym | |
| Cerite-(CeCa) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| Cerite-(La) | A synonym of Ferricerite-(LaCa) | |
| Coiraite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Pb,Sn)12.5Sn5FeAs3S28 |
| Cuarţ | A synonym of Quartz | |
| Cuprite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Cu2O |
| Eurite | A rock subtype | |
| Goureite | A synonym of Narsarsukite | |
| Karite | A variety of Diamond | C |
| Kerate | A synonym of Chlorargyrite | |
| Kerite | ||
| Kerrite | A synonym of Vermiculite | |
| Koreite | A synonym of 'Agalmatolite' | |
| Korite | A synonym of 'Ammolite' | |
| Surite | A valid IMA mineral species | (Pb,Ca)3(Al,Fe2+,Mg)2((Si,Al)4O10)(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| Turite | A synonym of 'Turgite' |
IMA Classification of Curite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+3+x[(U6+O2)4O4+x(OH)3-x]2·2H2O
First published:
1921
Classification of Curite
4.GB.55
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
5.9.3.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
7.16.26
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cui | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Curite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Curite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Deep to light red-orange, orange, scarlet, yellow
Streak:
Orange
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}
On {100}
Density:
6.98 - 7.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.37 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Curite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.06 nβ = 2.11 nγ = 2.15
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 80°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = b = pale yellow
Y = a = light red-orange
Z = c = dark red-orange
Y = a = light red-orange
Z = c = dark red-orange
Comments:
Distinguished from other uranyl oxides by its higher refractive indices (Frondel 1958).
Chemistry of Curite
Mindat Formula:
Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Curite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.5510(10) Å, b = 8.3760(4) Å, c = 13.0107(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.498 : 1 : 1.553
Unit Cell V:
1367.78 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [001] and striated [001]. Massive. In aggregates of fine needles or saccharoidal. Compact earthy.
Comment:
data from Ghazisaeed et al. (2019)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005669 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 |  | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005668 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005667 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005666 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005665 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005664 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005663 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005662 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005661 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005660 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Swaambo, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005659 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Swaambo, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005658 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
Swambo Hill, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo