 |
|
|
Uraninite is the most important radioactive mineral, and was once thought to be worthless. When the discovery of its useful uranium content was unveiled, it became extremely significant. It is the most common and widespread uranium mineral, making it the best known uranium ore. Many collectors refrain from collecting uranium minerals such as Uraninite because of their hazards and fragility. Uranium minerals should be kept out of light, preferably in a tight container, and unnecessary handling should be avoided. Hands should be washed after contact with any uranium mineral, and these minerals should not be stored in a room where one eats or sleeps on a regular basis. |
|
|
Chemical Formula |
UO2 |
|
Composition |
Uranium dioxide, sometimes with small amounts of thorium |
| Variable Formula |
(U,Th)O2 |
|
Color |
Greenish to brownish-black, steel-black, black |
|
Streak |
Brownish-black, grayish-brown, olive-green |
|
Hardness |
5 - 6 |
|
Crystal System |
Isometric |
|
|
|
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Crystals are usually cubic, occasionally octahedral, and rarely dodecahedral. Crystals can also be a combination of these three types, especially cubes with octahedral corners. Crystals are usually distorted and often have rounded edges. They may also have modified growth layers. Also occurs massive, botryoidal, earthy, grainy, as groups of small crystals, and as dendritic growths on rock. |
|
Transparency |
Opaque. Occasionally translucent in thin splinters. |
|
Specific Gravity |
6.4 - 10.6 |
|
Luster |
Submetallic, greasy, pitchy, or dull |
|
Cleavage |
None |
|
Fracture |
Conchoidal to uneven |
|
Tenacity |
Brittle |
|
Other ID Marks |
Highly radioactive |
|
Complex Tests |
If a drop of concentrated nitric acid is placed on Uraninite, that spot becomes fluorescent. |
|
In Group |
Oxides; Simple Oxides |
|
Striking Features |
Radioactivity, high specific gravity, and crystal formations |
| Environment |
In granite pegmatite veins and in hydrothermal replacement deposits. |
| Rock Type |
Igneous, Metamorphic |
|
Popularity (1-4)
|
1 |
|
Prevalence (1-3)
|
3 |
|
Demand (1-3) |
1 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
- Metamict, amorphous, impure variety of Uraninite. Pitchblende may be categorized by some as a separate mineral, but most references classify it as a variety of Uraninite.
|
Uraninite is the primary ore of uranium. Rare earth elements such as thorium and yttrium may also be mined from Uraninite.
|
Uraninite is found in many geographical areas, although mostly in small quantities. A classic European occurrence is Pribram, Bohemia, in the Czech Republic, which has produced fine botryoidal agglomerations. The occurrence of Katanga (Shaba), Congo (Zaire), has produced some of the finest and most lustrous crystals of Uraninite.
In the U.S., a very large deposit is in the Marysvale District, Piute Co., Utah, where Pitchblende occurs in enormous quantities. Excellent singe crystals have come from Topsham, Sagadahoc Co., Maine (especially the Swamp #1 Quarry), and dendritic Uraninite embedded in the host rock occurs in the Ruggles Mine, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, where it is often replaced by Gummite. Other well-known localities are Haddam and Portland, Middlesex Co., Connecticut and Spruce Pine, Mitchell Co., North Carolina.
In Canada, enormous crystals larger than any others were found at Wilberforce, Haliburton Co., Ontario, and good specimens have also come from Faraday Hill, Bancroft District, Hastings Co., Ontario.
|
Magnetite - Attracted to magnets, not radioactive.
Spinel - Much lighter in weight, different streak.
Cassiterite - Different streak (white), not radioactive.
Columbite-Tantalite - Not radioactive, different crystal system.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a question about Uraninite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
|
|
|
|
Let us know how we can update this page
(Click for more details)
|
|
We strive for accurate content and locality information. If you feel any of the content is incorrect, or if you feel we are missing vital locality information, please fill out the form below so we can update the site. If you are requesting a locality be added, please only include significant locality occurences for the mineral.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
