Sklodowskite is a uranium mineral with the chemical formula: Mg(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·5H2O. It is a secondary mineral which contains magnesium and is a bright yellow colour, its crystal habit is acicular, but can form in other shapes. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2–3. It is named after the maiden name of Marie Skłodowska Curie.[2] It is the magnesium analogue of the much more common uranium mineral Cuprosklodowskite, which contains copper instead.

Sklodowskite
Sklodowskite on gypsum
General
CategoryNesosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)
Mg(UO2)2(HSiO4)2·5H2O
IMA symbolSds[1]
Strunz classification9.AK.10
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupC2/m
Identification
ColourLight yellow to green-yellow
CleavagePerfect
on {100}
Mohs scale hardness2 - 3
LustreAdamantine, vitreous, silky
StreakYellow
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Density3.54 g/cm3
Other characteristics Radioactive

It was discovered by Alfred Schoep [de] (1881–1966) in 1924.

References

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  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. ^ "Sklodowskite". mindat.org.
  • A. Schoep, La sklodowskite, nouveau mineral radioactif, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 179, 143 (1924)