Althupite

Althupite is a rare aluminum thorium uranyl phosphate mineral with the complex formula written as AlTh(UO₂)₇(PO₄)₄O₂(OH)₅·15H₂O, from a granitic pegmatite. Its named after its composition (Aluminum, THorium, Uranium, and Phosphor).

General information:

Formula: AlTh(UO₂)₇(PO₄)₄O₂(OH)₅15H₂O,
Colour: Yellow
Lustre: Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness: 3½ – 4
Specific Gravity: 3.91
Crystal System: Triclinic.

Physical Properties of Althupite

For a periodic crystal, the group must also be consistent with the maintenance of the three-dimensional translational symmetry that defines crystallinity. The macroscopic properties of a crystal would look exactly the same before, in the classification of crystals, each point group is also known as a crystal class.

Lustre: Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Colour: Yellow
Streak: Yellow
Hardness: 3½ – 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity: Flexible
Density: 3.91 g/cm³ (Measured) and 3.98 g/cm³ (Calculated)

The mineral was discovered by the Italian mineralogist Ferruccio Zambonini in 1926. He analyzed several samples from the volcanic fumaroles close to Mount Vesuvius and from the Lipari islands. As a result, it can only found as a sublimation product around volcanic fumaroles.

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