Ichnusaite
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| Ichnusaite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Molybdate minerals |
| Formula | Th(MoO4)2•3H2O |
| IMA symbol | Ich[1] |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/b |
| Unit cell | a = 9.68, b = 10.38 c = 9.38 [Å], β = 90.00° (approximated) Z = 4 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless |
| Cleavage | {100}, perfect |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Luster | Pearly adamantine |
| Other characteristics |  Radioactive |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Ichnusaite (pronounced iknusa-ait) is a very rarely found mineral.[3] Ichnusaite is a natural compound of thorium and molybdenum with the formula Th(MoO4)2·3H2O. It was discovered in Su Seinargiu, Sarroch, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy in 2013.[2] The name is from the old Greek name of Sardinia, Ιχνουσσα, Ichnusa.[5]
This locality is also a place of discovery of the second natural thorium molybdate - nuragheite.[6]
Muscovite, nuragheite, and xenotime-(Y) are the associates of ichnusaite.[2]
Notes on chemistry
Ichnusaite is chemically pure.[2]
