Cuprosklodowskite is a rare copper uranyl nesosilicate mineral that
is very strongly radioactive due
to its 55.24 %
uranium content. Cuprosklodowskite is
formed from the oxidation of copper and uranium bearing
minerals. Sklodowskite and Uranophane are two closely
related minerals that have similar chemistry, structure
and crystal habits.
Cuprosklodowskite is found in good crystals only at the Musonoi Mine at the world famous copper and
uranium mines of Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre).
This mine produces the finest Cuprosklodowskite specimens in the world.
At this and other localities Cuprosklodowsite is
often closely associated with other radioactive minerals
such as Curite,
Kasolite, Sklodowskite, Soddyite,
Swamboite, Torbernite and Uranophane.
The picture
above shows green Cuprosklodowsite associated with yellow Soddyite.
Cuprosklodowsite mineral specimens are very attractive with
its bright green crystals set with other brightly colored
minerals such as Soddyite. Cuprosklodowskite's bright green velvety tufts of radiating acicular crystals are
very attractive and make an impressive mineral specimen but faceted gems are
a true rarity.
Cuprosklodowskite
was named by Henri
Buttgenbach, a famous Belgian metallurgist,
while introducing Johannes Franciscus
Vaes' paper,
in the mistaken belief that the new mineral was the copper analog
of Sklodowskite. Sklodowskite was named after Marie Sklodowska-Curie (1867-1934) who, with her husband Pierre
Curie, was a pioneer in the study of radioactivity.
As
with all radioactive minerals always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when
handling or breaking. Never lick or ingest. Avoid prolonged exposure in
proximity of the body. Store away from inhabited areas.
Locations
for Cuprosklodowskite: In Congo (Zaire), from Katanga
(Shaba) Province, at Kambove and Kalongwe deposit [TL],
with exceptional specimens from Shinkolobwe and the
Musonoi mine, Kolwezi. From Jáchymov (Joachimsthal),
Czech Republic. At Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany.
From West Wheal Owles and the Geevor mine, St. Just,
Cornwall, England. In the Rabéjac uranium deposit,
seven km south-southwest of Lodève, Hérault,
France. In the USA, in New Mexico, from the Sanostee
area, San Juan County, in the Woodrow mine, Laguna district,
Valencia County, and in the Grants district, McKinley
County; in Utah, in the Frey No. 4 mine, Frey Canyon,
the Posey mine, Red Canyon, and the Happy Jack mine,
White Canyon, San Juan County; in California, on the
Ram claims, Pinto Mountains, Riverside County. In Canada,
from the Nicholson mine, Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan.
At Kenzan, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.
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