Xiangjiangite (original) (raw)

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Xiangjiangite
General
Category Phosphate minerals
Formula (Fe3+, Al)(UO2)4(PO4)2(SO4)2(OH)·22(H2O)
IMA symbol Xjg[1]
Strunz classification 8.EB.05
Crystal system Tetragonal Unknown space group
Unit cell 1,142.31
Identification
Formula mass 453.91 g/mol
Color Yellow
Crystal habit Microscopic crystals; Platy
Mohs scale hardness 1–2
Luster Silky
Streak Light yellow
Diaphaneity Semitransparent
Specific gravity 3.47
Optical properties Biaxial(−)
Refractive index nα = 1.558 nβ = 1.576 nγ = 1.593
Birefringence 0.035
Pleochroism Weak
2V angle 87
Dispersion Weak
Other characteristics Radioactive
References [2][3][4]

Xiangjiangite is a phosphate mineral discovered near and named for the Xiang Jiang River in China. It was approved by the IMA in 1978, and was named after its locality.[5]

Xiangjiangite is a pleochroic mineral, which is an optical phenomenon, meaning that depending on the axis it is viewed on, it appears as it changes colors. On both the X and Y axis, it can be seen in a yellow color, while on the Z axis it appears to be weak yellow color. This mineral is very strongly radioactive, and has a 3,845,084.01 radioactivity measured in GRapi.

It mainly consists of uranium (49.67%) and oxygen (39.23%), but otherwise contains sulphur (3.35%), phosphorus (3.23%), hydrogen (2.37%), iron (1.46%) and aluminum (0.70%).[5]

  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. ^ Xiangjiangite mineral data from Webmineral
  3. ^ Mindat.org
  4. ^ Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. ^ a b "Xiangjiangite Mineral Data". webmineral.com. Retrieved 2022-03-09.