Bayleyite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bayleyite | |
|---|---|
 Bayleyite sample from the Ambrosia Lake area, Grants District, New Mexico (size: 4.6 × 2.4 × 1.6 cm) | |
| General | |
| Category | Carbonate mineral |
| Formula | Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3·18(H2O) |
| IMA symbol | Byy[1] |
| Strunz classification | 5.ED.05 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/c |
| Unit cell | a = 26.65 Å, b = 15.31 Å, c = 6.53 Å; β = 93.07°; Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Sulfur yellow |
| Crystal habit | Clusters of prismatic crystals, crusts |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2–2.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Diaphaneity | Semitransparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.05 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.453 – 1.455 nβ = 1.490 – 1.492 nγ = 1.498 – 1.502 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.045 – 0.047 |
| Pleochroism | Visible: X = Pinkish, Y = Light yellow, Z = Light yellow |
| 2V angle | Measured: 30° |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | Weak; yellow-green to pale greenish under LW and SW |
| Other characteristics |  Radioactive |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Bayleyite is a uranium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula: Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3·18(H2O). It is a secondary mineral which contains magnesium, uranium and carbon. It is a bright yellow color. Its crystal habit is acicular but is more commonly found as crusts on uranium bearing ores. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2–2.5.[2]