Kasolite and malachite from Musonoi mine, Democratic Republic of Congo
General
Category
Mineral
Formula (repeating unit)
Pb(UO2)(SiO4) · H2O
IMA symbol
Kso
Strunz classification
09.AK.15
Dana classification
53.03.01.01
Crystal system
Monoclinic
Crystal class
Prismatic H-M symbol: 2/m
Space group
P 21/a
Unit cell
596.48
Identification
Formula mass
587.33
Color
Reddish orange, yellow, yellow brown, green, gray green
Cleavage
Perfect on {001} Good on {010}, {100}
Fracture
Uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Mohs scale hardness
4 - 5
Luster
Resinous, Greasy
Streak
Light brownish yellow
Diaphaneity
Transparent, translucent, opaque
Specific gravity
5.83 - 6.5
Density
Measured: 5.83 - 6.5 Calculated: 6.256
Optical properties
Biaxial (+)
Refractive index
nα = 1.890 nβ = 1.910 nγ = 1.950
Birefringence
0.060
Pleochroism
Weak X =Y = Pale yellow Z = Colorless to slightly grayish
2V angle
Measured: 43° Calculated: 72°
Dispersion
Strong
Ultraviolet fluorescence
Radioactive
Common impurities
As, P, Ba, Fe, Mg, Ca
Other characteristics
Radioactive
Kasolite is an uncommon lead uranyl silicate monohydrate mineral. It is an IMA approved mineral, that had been a valid species before the foundation of the association, that had been first described and published in 1921 by Schoep. It is a grandfathered mineral, meaning the name kasolite is still believed to refer to a valid species to this day. The mineral's name originates from its type locality, namely the Shinkolobwe Mine, also known as Kasolo Mine. Kasolite is possibly the lead analogue of the unnamed phase UM1956-02-SiO:CaHU, and it is the only accepted lead-uranium silicate.[1]
Kasolite is an uncommon lead uranyl silicate monohydrate mineral. It is an IMA approved mineral, that had been a valid species before the foundation of...
yellow / pale yellow Danburite (weak): very pale yellow / pale yellow Kasolite (weak): pale yellow / grey Orthoclase (weak): different shades of pale...
It occurs in association with becquerelite, brochantite, uranophane, kasolite, vandenbrandeite, liebigite and compreignacite. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC...
mottramite, carnotite, dewindtite, torbernite, uranopilite, johannite and kasolite. Yellow curienite on bright orange francevillite, in a specimen from their...
Curite is found in the oxidation zone along with dewindtite, fourmarierite, kasolite, rutherfordine, schoepite, soddyite, sklodowskite, torbernite und vandendriesscheite...
hematite/quartz including weeksite, beta-uranophane, metatorbernite, soddyite, kasolite, billietite, and barite. Figure 3. shows the geomorphology of the Mt. Gee...
Global Information
Radioactive