Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          wellerr@cochise.edu
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller
 

 

Mineral Information on:
torbernite


Chemical Group:  phosphate

Chemical Formula: 
Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2.8-12H2O

Color:  emerald green, grass green, apple green              Streak: same as color, but paler
 

Luster:  pearly to adamantine        Transparency:  transparent to translucent

 

Hardness:  2 to 2.5            Specific Gravity:   3.2              

Cleavage: 1 direction (perfect), micaceous         Tenacity:  brittle

 

Crystal Forms: Orthorhombic system, pseudo-tetragonal
     Crystals are usually square tables, sometimes thin, sometimes thick

Mineral Associations:  other uranium minerals

Identifying Characteristics:  green, mica-like square crystals, radioactive

Uses:   a source of uranium

Occurrences:    Czechoslovakia, Australia

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- dangerous               when inhaled- dangerous  Radioactive


Additional Information: