Seelite from the type locality: Rabejac, Lodeve, Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seelite
Seelite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Mg(UO₂)₂(AsO₃,AsO₄)₂·7H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/m). It is a member of the Seelite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.7; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol See, IMA status: approved, named in 1992.
A rare mineral found in the oxidation zone of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits.
It is found associated with Annabergite, talmessite, zaratite, uranospinite (Talmessi mine, Iran); zeunerite (Rabéjac deposit, France).
The mineral was named to honor Paul Seel (1904–1982) and Hilde Seel (1902–1987), American collectors of microscopic minerals, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.