General Information:
Chemical Formula:
K4(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10·4(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 2,306.88 gm)
Potassium 6.78 % K
Uranium 61.91 % U
Hydrogen 0.79 % H
Sulfur 4.17 % S
Oxygen 26.35 % O
Empirical Formula:
K4(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)10·4(H2O)
Environment:
Common in underground uranium mines.
Locality:
Jachymov (St. Joachimsthal), Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Name Origin:
Named for Franz Xaver Maxmillian Zippe (1791-1863), Austrian mineralogist.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[???] Perfect
Color:
yellow, golden yellow, orange red, or reddish brown.
Density:
3.66
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to Translucent
Habits:
Pulverulent - Forms a loose, poorly-coherent powdery mass., Encrustations - Forms crust-like aggregates on matrix.,
Hardness:
2 - Gypsum
Luminescence:
Fluorescent and radioactive, Short UV=bright yellow, Long UV=bright yellow.
Luster:
Earthy (Dull)
Streak:
yellow white
More details...