Saleeite
(repeating unit)Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2·10(H2O) Strunz classification 08.EB.05 Crystal system Monoclinic Space group Monoclinic 2/m Unit cell a = 6.951(3) Å, b = 19.947(8) Å, c = 9.896(4) Å, β = 135.17(2)°; Z = 2 Identification Color Lemon-yellow, straw-yellow, greenish yellow Crystal habit Crystals are square plates, composite, flattened on {001}, with {001}, {100}, {120}, {012} (pseudotetragonal indices), to 2.5 cm; commonly in subparallel lamellar aggregates. Cleavage On {001}, perfect; on {010}, {110}, indistinct Luster Adamantine to waxy Diaphaneity Transparent to opaque Specific gravity 3.27 Optical properties Biaxial (−) typically nearly uniaxial Refractive index nα = 1.554 – 1.559 nβ = 1.570 – 1.582 nγ = 1.571 – 1.585 Birefringence δ = 0.027 Pleochroism X = colorless; Z = pale greenish yellow 2V angle 2V(meas.) = 0–61° Ultraviolet fluorescence Fluoresces bright lemon-yellow under LW UV, pale yellow under SW UV Other characteristics
RadioactiveReferences [1][2][3][4]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Radioactive.svg/25px-Radioactive.svg.png)
Saleeite is a secondary uranium mineral occurring in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits, or as disseminations in carnotite-bearing sandstones. Its chemical formula is Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2·10(H2O).
It was discovered in 1932 at Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is named for Belgian mineralogist Achille Salée (1883–1932), Professor at Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium. It was later determined that the Katanga mineral was meta-saleeite Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2·8(H2O) and the type locality was assigned to the Weißer Hirsch Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg District, Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany.[5][2]
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