Protasite
Protasite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Ba(UO₂)₃O₃(OH)₂·3H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group Pn).
Key properties: specific gravity 5.39; Subadamantine luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Ps, IMA status: approved, named in 1984.
Found in the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits.
It is found associated with Uraninite, uranophane (Shinkolobwe, Congo); bauranoite, metacalciouranoite (Russia).
The mineral was named to honor Professor Jean Protas (1932–), French mineralogist, University of Nancy, Nancy, France, who first synthesized the compound, and for his work with uranium oxide minerals.
Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet.
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