Torbernite
Mineral Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·12H2O
Also called Chalcolite
Take care.
- Radioactive: Keep it in a closed, labelled box away from where people sit or sleep, handle it briefly, wash your hands after, and never grind or cut it.
- Fragile: Handle it gently and pack it well; it breaks or crumbles easily.
About it
Bright green square plates like autunite but not fluorescent, because copper quenches the glow; radioactive. Slowly turns to metatorbernite; fine from the Congo, Cornwall, and Margabal in France.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, autunite group (uranyl)
- Formula
- Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2·12H2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2–2.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.2–3.3
- Streak
- pale green
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), pearly
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Colours
- emerald green, grass green, apple green
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- perfect in one direction, mica-like flakes
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.