Liebigite - Encyclopedia
Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
Subclass : Uranyl carbonates
Crystal system : Orthorhombic
Chemistry : Ca2(UO2)(CO3)3 11H2O
Rarity : Rare to uncommon
Liebigite is a rare hydrated carbonate of calcium and uranium which is found in the oxidation zone of uranium deposits. It is a secondary mineral whose genesis is frequently current : it then forms efflorescences in mine galleries. Liebigite was named in honor of Baron Justus von Liebig, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Munich. Liebigite crystals are short to equant prismatic, but generally coarse, with convex faces and rounded edges. The mineral occurs more commonly in scaly or grainy aggregates, and in fine coatings, green to green-yellow in color.
Main photo : 9.3 cm liddicoatite crystal from Sahatany Valley, Ibity, Madagascar
Liebigite in the World
Twinning
No twin known for this mineral species.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 2.5 to 3
Density : 2.41
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Pale green
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.494 to 1.542
Birefringence : 0.041
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : Green
Solubility : Sulfuric acid
Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : Strong