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Phosphate

Françoisite-(Nd)

Nd(UO₂)₃O(OH)(PO₄)₂·6H₂O
Hardness3
Crystal systemMonoclinic
ClassPhosphate
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Françoisite-(Nd)

Françoisite-(Nd) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Nd(UO₂)₃O(OH)(PO₄)₂·6H₂O.

It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).

Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 4.06; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Frç-Nd, IMA status: approved, named in 1987.

A rare alteration product of uraninite in a sedimentary Cu–Co deposit (Kamoto-East mine, Congo).

It is found associated with Uraninite, schoepite, uranophane, curite, schuilingite-(Nd), kamotoite-(Y), astrocyanite-(Ce), masuyite (Kamoto-East mine, Congo).

The mineral was named to honor Dr. Armand François (1922–), former Director of Geology for Gécamine (the national mining company), and for its dominant neodymium content.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more F minerals or help write this entry.