Curite

Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) © Stephan Wolfsried

Chemical Formula: Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6 · 3H2O
Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Name Origin: Named for Pierre Curie (1859-1906) and Marie Curie-Sklodowska (1867 – 1934), French research team of radioactive minerals. Discoverd the element radium.

Curite is a lead uranium oxide mineral with formula: Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6 · 3H2O. It is named after the physicists Marie and Pierre Curie, who are both known for their work on radioactivity. The type locality is the Shinkolobwe Mine.

Physical Properties of Curite

Cleavage: {100} Good, {110} Good
Color: Yellow, Reddish orange, Brownish yellow.
Density: 7.19
Diaphaneity: Transparent to Translucent
Fracture: Brittle – Generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals.
Hardness: 4-5 – Fluorite-Apatite
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: orange

Photo

Locality: South Alligator River, West Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia FOV: 2.16 mm Copyright © Matteo Chinellato
Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) Picture width 3 mm. Copyright © Stephan Wolfsried
Curite, Metatorbernite Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) Copyright © Collection and photo, Paul De Bond
Curite, Soddyite, Torbernite, Heterogenite Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) Specimen size, 55 mm. Copyright © Collection and photo, Paul De Bondt