Carnotite

carnotite

tyuyamunite

volborthite

hewettite

Images

Formula: K2(UO2)2(VO4)2.3H2O
Hydrated normal vanadate, uranyl mineral, carnotite group
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.70 measured, 4.91 calculated
Hardness: 2
Streak: Strontian-yellow
Colour: Bright yellow, yellow, greenish yellow
Solubility: Readily soluble in acids
RADIOACTIVE
Environments

Sedimentary environments

Carnotite is a secondary vanadate resulting from the alteration of uraninite, montroseite or davidite. It occurs in paleochannels in sandstone in Colorado Plateau-type uranium-vanadium deposits, found near fossil carbonaceous matter, and in calcretes and near playas (Mindat, HOM).
Associated minerals include tyuyamunite, metatyuyamunite, volborthite, tangeite, metatorbernite, pintadoite, rauvite, rossite, uvanite, vanoxite, hewettite, gypsum and baryte (Mindat, HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, the Rajah Mine, Uravan Mining District, Montrose county, Colorado, USA, carnotite occurs in a Colorado Plateau type sedimentary vanadium-uranium deposit (Mindat).

Carnotite from the Uravan Mining District - Image

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