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Astrocyanite-(Ce) & Kamotoite-(Y)

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SMM607101

Astrocyanite-(Ce) & Kamotoite-(Y)

Type Locality
Rare Mineral

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Kamoto East Open Cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small miniature (3-4.5 cm)
Size: 
4 × 3 × 1.5 cm
Description

An exceptional carpet of extremely rare astrocyanite-(Ce) crystals with, as is commonly, the other U mineral, kamotoite-(Y), coming from their type locality. Astrocyanite is exclusive to the type locality, while the kamotoite is only found in a handful of locations in the world.
On the market I have seen in recent years some samples but often very small, less than one cm, or with very small areas of astrocyanite-(Ce) crystals, so when I saw this sample for sale, even though its price exceeded the $ 500.00, I offered in swap, some my own rare species for to have it. I consider it an excellent specimen, with an area of astrocyanite-(Ce) crystals of about half square cm. and beautiful kamotoite-(Y) radial bright yellow crystals rosettes of about 1 cm in diameter.Truly colorful and enjoyable even for it's not too small size. 

Boxed with Label
Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Astrocyanite-(Ce)

Formula: 
Cu2(Ce,Nd,La)2(UO2)(CO3)5(OH)2·1.5H2O
Strunz: 
5.EF.05
Crystal System: 
Hexagonal
Hardness: 
2.5
Type Locality: 
Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)

Kamotoite-(Y)

Formula: 
Y2(UO2)4(CO3)3O4·14H2O
Strunz: 
5.EA.30
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
0.0
Type Locality: 
Kamoto East Open cut, Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)

Seller Information

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