Althupite (IMA symbol: Ahp[1]) is a rare aluminium thorium uranyl phosphate mineral with complex formula written as AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4O2(OH)5·15H2O, from a granitic pegmatite. It is named after its composition (ALuminium, THorium, Uranium, and Phosphorus).[2][3][4]

Althupite
Yellow crystals of the extremely rare Th-U mineral althupite from the type and only known locality worldwide in Kobokobo (Kobokobo Pegmatite, Mwenga, South Kivu, DR Congo). Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium.
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
AlTh(UO2)7(PO4)4O2(OH)5·15H2O
IMA symbolApp
Identification
ColorYellow
TenacityFlexible
Mohs scale hardness3.5-4
LusterVitreous, Sub-Vitreous
StreakYellow
DiaphaneityTransparent
Specific gravity3.91
Other characteristics Radioactive

References

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  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA-CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Piret P. and Deliens M. 1987: Les phosphates d'uranyle et d'aluminium de Kobokobo. IX. L'althupite AlTh(UO2)[(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2]2(OH)3·15H2O, nouveau minéral; propriétés et structure cristalline. Bulletin de Mineralogie, 110, 65-72
  3. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-149.html Mindat
  4. ^ http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/althupite.pdf Handbook of Mineralogy