Billietite Explained

Billietite
Category:Oxide minerals
Formula:Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6•8H2O
Imasymbol:Bil[1]
Strunz:4.GB.10
Dana:5.7.1.3
System:Orthorhombic
Class:Pyramidal (mm2)
(same H-M symbol)
Symmetry:Pbn21
Color:Yellow to golden-yellow, amber-yellow, orange-yellow
Cleavage:Perfect on, imperfect on and
Tenacity:Brittle
Luster:Adamantine
Diaphaneity:Transparent, translucent
Density:5.28 - 5.36 g/cm3
Other: Radioactive
References:[2] [3]

Billietite is an uncommon mineral of uranium that contains barium. It has the chemical formula: Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6•8H2O. It usually occurs as clear yellow orthorhombic crystals.[4] Billietite is named after Valere Louis Billiet (1903–1945), Belgian crystallographer at the University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.

Billietite was discovered in the locality of the Shinkolobwe uranium mine in the Haut-Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Warr. L.N.. 2021. IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine. 85. 3. 291–320. 10.1180/mgm.2021.43. 2021MinM...85..291W. 235729616. free.
  2. https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/MineralData?mineral=Billietite Mineralienatlas
  3. http://www.mindat.org/min-674.html Mindat.org - Billietite
  4. M. Katherine Pagoaga, Daniel E, Appleman, & James M. Stewart "Crystal structures and crystal chemistry of the uranyl oxide hydrates becquerelite, billietite, and protasite" American Mineralogist, Volume 72, pages 1230-1238, 1987 http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM72/AM72_1230.pdf