Billietite is an uncommon mineral of uranium that contains barium. It has the chemical formula: Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6•8H2O. It usually occurs as clear yellow orthorhombic crystals.[4] Billietite is named after Valere Louis Billiet (1903–1945), Belgian crystallographer at the University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.

Billietite
Becquerelite (yellow) and billietite (orange)
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Ba(UO2)6O4(OH)6•8H2O
IMA symbolBil[1]
Strunz classification4.GB.10
Dana classification5.7.1.3
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classPyramidal (mm2)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupPbn21
Identification
ColorYellow to golden-yellow, amber-yellow, orange-yellow
CleavagePerfect on {001}, imperfect on {110} and {010}
TenacityBrittle
LusterAdamantine
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent
Density5.28 - 5.36 g/cm3
Other characteristics Radioactive
References[2][3]

Billietite was discovered in the locality of the Shinkolobwe uranium mine in the Haut-Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).[3]

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b Mindat.org - Billietite
  4. ^ M. Katherine Pagoaga, Daniel E, Appleman, & James M. Stewart "Crystal structures and crystal chemistry of the uranyl oxide hydrates becquerelite, billietite, and protasite" American Mineralogist, Volume 72, pages 1230-1238, 1987 [1]
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