thorite
thorite crystals from Ontario in U.S.
Detailed sheet
thorite
Discovered in 1829, its name comes from its composition rich in thorium.
It is highly radioactive and only since a short time. there are interesting samples for gemology.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(Th,U)[SiO4]
thorium and uranium silicate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
orange
Other colors
brown, yellow
Color of streak
orange
Luster
greasy, resinous
Hardness
4.5 to 5.0
Density
6.60 to 0.00
Cleavage
indistinct
Fracture
conchoidal
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque, translucent, transparent
rarely translucent
Refractive index
1.780 - 1.840
Double refraction
0.010
variable, uniaxial negative
visible double refraction
No
Pleochroism
absent
Number of colors
1
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
often biterminal prisms
crystals system
tetragonal
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found worldwide. Central Asia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Alaska, Greenland, Egypt, Germany, Austria …
use in jewelry
This is a radioactive collection stone, which must be kept away from living beings and preserved in an appropriate package for protection against radioactivity. No use in jewelry.
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
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