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Parsonsite

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Lead uranium phosphate mineral
Parsonsite
Yellow brown parsonsite crystals with green torbernite from the Pinhal do Souto mine, Mangualde, Viseu District, Portugal
General
CategoryPhosphate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2·2H2O
IMA symbolPso
Strunz classification8.EA.10
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Identification
ColorPale citron-yellow
Crystal habitElongate and flattened tiny crystals, may resemble laths, crusts, powdery aggregates
CleavageNone observed
Mohs scale hardness2.5-3
LusterSub-adamantine
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity5.37
Optical propertiesPale yellow color
PleochroismNone
Ultraviolet fluorescenceDoes not fluoresce in UV light
SolubilitySoluble in acids
Other characteristics Radioactive
References

Parsonsite is a lead uranium phosphate mineral with chemical formula: Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2·2H2O. Parsonsite contains about 45% lead and 25% uranium. It forms elongated lathlike pseudo monoclinic crystals, radial spherulites, encrustations and powdery aggregates. It is of a light yellow colour. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3 and a specific gravity of 5.72 - 6.29.

It was first described in 1923 for an occurrence in the Shinkolobwe mine, Katanga Copper Crescent, Democratic Republic of Congo. It was named for mineralogist Arthur Leonard Parsons (1873–1957) of the University of Toronto, Canada.

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. Mineralienatlas
  3. Webmineral data for parsonite
  4. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. Parsonite on Mindat.org

Bibliography

  • Palache, P.; Berman H.; Frondel, C. (1960). "Dana's System of Mineralogy, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. (Seventh Edition)" John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 913-914.


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