Curite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Curite
Pierre Curie
Formula:
Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
Colour:
Deep to light red-orange, orange, scarlet, yellow
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
4 - 5
Specific Gravity:
6.98 - 7.4
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After Pierre Curie (15 May 1859, Paris, France - 19 April 1906, Paris, France) physicist, famous for his research with his wife, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, on radioactivity. They, along with Henri Becquerel were awarded the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics for their research. They also discovered the elements polonium and radium.
Pb is (or may be) slightly over-stoichiometric.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1197
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1197:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1536d335-dc6a-4ef8-91be-1d033fb72685
IMA Classification of Curite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb3+x[(UO2)4O4+x(OH)3-x]2 · 2H2O
First published:
1921
Classification of Curite
4.GB.55
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
G : Uranyl Hydroxides
B : With additional cations (K, Ca, Ba, Pb, etc.); with mainly UO2(O,OH)5 pentagonal polyhedra
5.9.3.1
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
5 : OXIDES CONTAINING URANIUM OR THORIUM
9 : Miscellaneous
7.16.26
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
16 : Oxides of U
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Cui | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Curite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Curite
Adamantine
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Deep to light red-orange, orange, scarlet, yellow
Streak:
Orange
Hardness:
4 - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {100}
On {100}
Density:
6.98 - 7.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.37 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Curite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.060 nβ = 2.110 nγ = 2.150
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 80°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.090
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = b = pale yellow
Y = a = light red-orange
Z = c = dark red-orange
Y = a = light red-orange
Z = c = dark red-orange
Comments:
Distinguished from other uranyl oxides by its higher refractive indices (Frondel 1958).
Chemistry of Curite
Mindat Formula:
Pb3(H2O)2[(UO2)4O4(OH)3]2
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
formerly given as Pb3(UO2)8O8(OH)6.3H2O; the study of Ghazisaeed et al. (2019) shows that "curite contains only one H2O group, with [4]-coordinated oxygen"
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Curite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Setting:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.5510(10) Å, b = 8.3760(4) Å, c = 13.0107(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.498 : 1 : 1.553
Unit Cell V:
1367.78 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic [001] and striated [001]. Massive. In aggregates of fine needles or saccharoidal. Compact earthy.
Comment:
data from Ghazisaeed et al. (2019)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005644 | Curite | Burns P C, Hill F C (2000) Implications of the synthesis and structure of the Sr analogue of curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 175-181 |  | 2000 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005656 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005657 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Swaambo,Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005658 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005659 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Swaambo, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005660 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Swaambo, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005661 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005662 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005663 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005664 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005665 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005666 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005667 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005668 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005669 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of Congo | 0 | 293 |
| 0005670 | Curite | Li Y, Burns P C (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite The Canadian Mineralogist 38 727-735 | | 2000 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.28 Å | (100) |
| 3.97 Å | (90) |
| 3.14 Å | (80) |
| 2.55 Å | (60) |
| 2.10 Å | (50) |
| 1.74 Å | (50) |
| 3.53 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Katanga district, DR Congo.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 27 : Radioactive decay; auto-oxidation | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral formed by the alteration of uraninite
Type Occurrence of Curite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Cryptocrystalline, massive, minute needles.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Paris, France.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Schoep, A. (1921) La curite, nouveau minéral radioactif. Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 173: 1186-1187.
Other Language Names for Curite
Varieties of Curite
| Thorian Curite | Typical constituent of gummites, replacing Th-bearing varieties of uraninite (Bröggerites). Able contain 10 and more wt.% of ThO2. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 44 photos of Curite associated with Uraninite | UO2 |
| 39 photos of Curite associated with Soddyite | (UO2)2SiO4 · 2H2O |
| 30 photos of Curite associated with Metatorbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 26 photos of Curite associated with Kasolite | Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O |
| 26 photos of Curite associated with Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 20 photos of Curite associated with Torbernite | Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 16 photos of Curite associated with Schoepite | (UO2)8O2(OH)12 · 12H2O |
| 12 photos of Curite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 11 photos of Curite associated with Rutherfordine | (UO2)CO3 |
| 10 photos of Curite associated with Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.GB.05 | Agrinierite | K2(Ca,Sr)[(UO2)3O3(OH)2]2 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Compreignacite | K2(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 7H2O |
| 4.GB.05 | Rameauite | K2Ca(UO2)6O6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Becquerelite | Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Billietite | Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6 · 4-8H2O |
| 4.GB.10 | Protasite | Ba(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.15 | Richetite | (Fe3+,Mg)Pb 8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24 · 41H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Bauranoite | Ba(UO2)2(OH)6 · 1-2H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Calciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb)U2O7 · 5H2O |
| 4.GB.20 | Metacalciouranoite | (Ca,Ba,Pb,K2)U2O7 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.25 | Fourmarierite | Pb(UO2)4O3(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.30 | Wölsendorfite | Pb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.35 | Masuyite | Pb(UO2)3O3(OH)2 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.40 | Metavandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · nH2O n < 12 |
| 4.GB.40 | Vandendriesscheite | PbU7O22 · 12H2O |
| 4.GB.45 | Vandenbrandeite | Cu(UO2)(OH)4 |
| 4.GB.50 | Sayrite | Pb2(UO2)5O6(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 4.GB.60 | Iriginite | (UO2)Mo2O7 · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.65 | Uranosphaerite | Bi(UO2)O2(OH) |
| 4.GB.70 | Holfertite | CaxU6+2-xTi(O8-xOH4x) · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.75 | Carlosbarbosaite | (UO2)2Nb2O6(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 4.GB.80 | Gauthierite | KPb[(UO2)7O5(OH)7] · 8H2O |
| 4.GB.85 | Kroupaite | KPb0.5[(UO2)8O4(OH)10] · 10H2O |
| 4.GB.90 | Leesite | K(H2O)2[(UO2)4O2(OH)5] · 3H2O |
| 4.GB.95 | Shinkolobweite | Pb1.25[U5+(H2O)2(U6+O2)5O8(OH)2](H2O)5 |
| 4.GB.95 | Nollmotzite | Mg[U5+(U6+O2)2O4F3] · 4H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
In the closed tube becomes brown and gives off water.
Notes:
Soluble in cold acids.
Strongly radioactive.
Strongly radioactive.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Curite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1197.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Curite
Reference List:
(1958) Systematic mineralogy of uranium and thorium. Bulletin Vol. 1064. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b1064 pp.208-211
Mereiter, K. (1979) The crystal structure of curite, [Pb6.56(H2O,OH)4] [(UO2)8O8(OH)6]2. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 26 (4) 279-292 doi:10.1007/bf01089842
Li, Y., Burns, P. C. (2000) Investigations of crystal-chemical variability in lead uranyl oxide hydrates. I. Curite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (3) 727-735 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.3.727
Burns, Peter C. (2005) U6+ minerals and inorganic compounds: insights into an expanded structural hierarchy of crystal structures. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (6) 1839-1894 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.6.1839
Kubatko, K.-A., Helean, K., Navrotsky, A., Burns, P. C. (2006) Thermodynamics of uranyl minerals: Enthalpies of formation of uranyl oxide hydrates. American Mineralogist, 91 (4) 658-666 doi:10.2138/am.2006.1856
Schindler, M., Mandaliev, P., Hawthorne, F. C., Putnis, A. (2006) Dissolution of uranyl-oxide-hydroxy-hydrate minerals. I. Curite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 44 (2) 415-431 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.44.2.415
Frost, Ray L., Čejka, Jiří, Weier, Matt L. (2007) Raman spectroscopic study of the uranyl oxyhydroxide hydrates: becquerelite, billietite, curite, schoepite and vandendriesscheite. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 38 (4). 460-466 doi:10.1002/jrs.1669
Localities for Curite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Gilligan et al. (1993) |
| Isobe et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Frost et al. (2007) | |
| Henry et al. (1999) | |
| Econ Geol (1987) +1 other reference | |
| Henry et al. (2005) |
| Brugger et al. (2011) |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2014) |
Canada | |
| Tyson (1989) |
| Trail |
| Reiner Mielke 2013 | |
| Sabina (1972) |
Czech Republic | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Mineralienwelt 1993 (1) |
| Petr Pauliš | |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| edit.africamuseum.be (n.d.) +2 other references |
| Deliens +2 other references | |
| Deliens |
| |
| |
| |
| Wilson (2018) | |
Egypt | |
| Shalaby et al. (2002) |
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collection |
France | |
| J. Chervet and G. Branche : ... |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
| Patureau et al. (2011) |
| - (1998) |
| - (1998) |
Germany | |
| 54 (in German) +1 other reference |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Collection Elmar Lackner. Analytical ... |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Dill et al. (2010) | |
| Aufschluss 69/ (7+8) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Gröbner et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Hungary | |
| Koch: Minerals of Hungary |
| GEODA 2004 |
India | |
| Singh et al. (2015) |
Iran | |
| Iranmanesh et al. (2018) |
Italy | |
| Daniele Ravagnani - I giacimenti ... |
| Ravagnani (1974) |
Madagascar | |
| Behier (1960) |
| Behier (1960) | |
| Behier (1960) | |
| Behier (1960) | |
Norway | |
| Neumann (1985) |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection # MM-5380 |
| Larsen. A.O. & Åsheim (2008) |
Russia | |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data 2012 |
| Chernyshev et al. (2019) | |
South Africa | |
| Fuchs (2015) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) | |
| www.foro-minerales.com (n.d.) |
Tajikistan | |
| Гецева et al. (1956) |
USA | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Winchell (1914) |
| Personal collection and XRD analysis by ... |
| Seaman (1956) +1 other reference |
| New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral ... |
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Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo