Outstanding sharp blue crystals of the extremely rare mineral schuilingite-(Nd) in a contrasting matrix from the type locality (Kasompi Mine, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Schuilingite-(Nd)
Schuilingite-(Nd) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula CuPbNd(CO₃)₃(OH)·1.5H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group P2_1cn).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 4.74; Adamantine luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Shg-Nd, IMA status: approved, named in 1948.
A rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of hydrothermal base metal deposits.
It is found associated with Gysinite-(Nd), malachite, cerussite, wulfenite, kasolite, schoepite, uranophane, curite, françoisite-(Nd), kamotoite-(Y), astrocyanite-(Ce), masuyite, uraninite.
The mineral was named to honor Hendrik Jan Schuiling (1892–1966), Chief Geologist, Union Minière du Haut-Katanga, Congo.