Autunite Mineral: A Guide to its Appearance, Composition, and Occurrence
When it comes to rare and interesting minerals, one that stands out is autunite. Its unique greenish-yellow color and fluorescent properties make it a popular choice among mineral collectors and enthusiasts.
But there’s more to autunite than just its aesthetics. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into what makes autunite a fascinating mineral, including its composition, distinguishing features, properties, and occurrence.
Autunite Mineral Description
Appearance and Composition
Autunite is a hydrous calcium uranium phosphate mineral that is primarily found in uranium-bearing pegmatites. Its chemical formula is Ca(UO2)2(PO4)210-12H2O.
Autunite’s distinctive greenish-yellow color comes from its uranium content, which ranges from 48.45% to 52.18%. This mineral is also fluorescent, meaning it glows under ultraviolet light.
Distinguishing Features and Properties
One of the unique properties of autunite is its reaction to nitric acid. When exposed to nitric acid, it turns a bright yellow color.
It also reacts with sulfuric acid to produce calcium sulfate. Due to its radioactive nature, this mineral must be handled with care.
Autunite has a crystal system that is orthorhombic, meaning it has three axes that are at right angles to each other. It has a hardness rating of 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale, making it easily scratched by harder minerals.
It has a vitreous to subresinous luster and a specific gravity of 2.9-3.2.
The streak of autunite is pale yellow, and it occurs as acicular crystals or in masses. It is primarily found in uranium-bearing pegmatites, but it can also be found in phosphate-rich hydrothermal ore deposits.
Autunite can be used to extract uranium and is sometimes used as a radioactive tracer.
Autunite Occurrence
Regions of Discovery
Autunite was first discovered in Autun, France, in 1852. Since then, it has been found in various locations around the world, including the Daybreak Mine and Mount Spokane in the United States, Spruce Pine in North Carolina, Urgeiria and Trancoso in Portugal, and Mt. Painter in South Australia.
Availability and Price
Autunite can be purchased from mineral stores or online. The price can vary depending on the quality and quantity, with higher-purity autunite being more expensive.
In conclusion, autunite is a unique mineral that is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Its greenish-yellow color and fluorescent properties make it a fascinating addition to any collection, but its composition and occurrence make it an interesting mineral to study.
With its distinctive features and properties, autunite is truly a gem of the mineral world. Autunite Uses: From Uranium Ore to Mineral Specimen
Autunite is a unique mineral that is highly sought after for both its aesthetic and practical applications.
With its fluorescent properties and distinctive greenish-yellow color, autunite is a prized addition to mineral collections, but it’s also a source of uranium, making it valuable to various industries. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different uses of autunite as a uranium ore and mineral specimen.
Autunite as Uranium Ore
One of the most important applications of autunite is as a source of uranium. Autunite’s uranium content is typically between 48.45% and 52.18%, making it an attractive option for industries that require this element.
Uranium is a radioactive metal that is used in the nuclear energy industry to produce electricity, and autunite is one of the primary sources of the element. Autunite is typically mined and then processed to extract the uranium, which is then used in the fuel rods that power nuclear reactors.
Aside from the nuclear energy industry, uranium is also used in other applications, such as in the production of armor-piercing projectiles and as a catalyst in the petrochemical industry.
Autunite as a Mineral Specimen
While autunite’s practical applications as a source of uranium are important, many collectors and enthusiasts are drawn to this mineral for its aesthetic qualities. Autunite’s bright greenish-yellow color and fluorescent properties make it a unique addition to any mineral collection.
Autunite specimens are typically found in the form of acicular crystals or in massive form. Due to its radioactive nature, autunite specimens should be handled with care and stored in tightly sealed containers to prevent any potential exposure.
Aside from its aesthetic qualities, autunite specimens also have a historical significance. Autunite was first discovered in Autun, France, in 1852, and it has since been found in various locations around the world.
Specimens from these locations tell the story of the mineral’s formation and provide insight into the Earth’s geological history. Autunite Formation: Meta-Autunite-I and Meta-Autunite-II
Autunite is formed through the combination of calcium, uranium, and phosphate-rich solutions.
Over time, these solutions crystallize and form the mineral that we know as autunite. However, autunite can also go through various transformations, namely into the minerals meta-autunite-I and meta-autunite-II.
When autunite is exposed to dry conditions, it can convert into meta-autunite-I. This process occurs when autunite is left exposed to air or undergoes heating, causing it to lose the water molecules that are crucial for its crystal structure.
Another way autunite can transform is through the conversion into meta-autunite-II. This occurs when autunite is heated to high temperatures, causing a chemical reaction that changes the mineral’s composition.
It’s important to note that these transformations can occur even in an autunite specimen that is kept in proper storage conditions. As such, collectors and enthusiasts should be aware of these transformations and appreciate the unique beauty of each stage of the mineral’s formation.
In conclusion, autunite is a unique mineral with practical and aesthetic applications. Its uranium content makes it a valuable source for various industries, while its fluorescent properties and bright greenish-yellow color make it a prized addition to mineral collections.
The mineral’s formation also provides insight into the Earth’s geological history, and the transformations that autunite can undergo add another layer of fascination to this already captivating mineral. Autunite is a fascinating mineral with both practical and aesthetic applications.
Its high uranium content makes it a valuable source for the nuclear energy industry, while its fluorescent properties and bright greenish-yellow color make it a prized addition to mineral collections. Collectors and enthusiasts should be aware of the mineral’s transformations, namely into meta-autunite-I and meta-autunite-II.
In conclusion, autunite is a unique and captivating mineral that provides insight into the Earth’s geological history. FAQs:
1.
What is autunite? Autunite is a hydrous calcium uranium phosphate mineral that is primarily found in uranium-bearing pegmatites.
2. What are the distinguishing features of autunite?
Autunite is fluorescent and reacts to nitric and sulfuric acid. It has a crystal system that is orthorhombic, a hardness rating of 2-2.5 on the Mohs scale, and a specific gravity of 2.9-3.2.
3.
What are the uses of autunite? Autunite is used as a source of uranium in the nuclear energy industry and as a mineral specimen for collectors and enthusiasts.
4. Where can autunite be found?
Autunite can be found in various locations around the world, including Autun, France, Daybreak Mine and Mount Spokane in the United States, Spruce Pine in North Carolina, and Mt. Painter in South Australia. 5.
How should autunite specimens be stored? Autunite specimens should be handled with care and stored in tightly sealed containers to prevent any potential exposure to its radioactive properties.