The chemical formula of mineral Phosphuranylite is indicated by Ca(UO2)3(PO4)2(OH)2 – 6H2O or Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Phosphate Hydroxide. Phosphuranylite is actually a Phosphate mineral. It is most commonly used as mineral specimen and it is most often found exhibiting nice and interesting microscope images when viewed with the aid of polarizing light microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Phosphuranylite is also considered as a very minor ore of uranium. Phosphuranylite is only one of the many yellow, encrusting, non-fluorescent, uranium bearing minerals and is unfortunately difficult to distinguish from others. Phosphuranylite has been found as an actual replacement for wood along with other uranium minerals. The uranium requires a reducing environment in order to precipitate out of the solution and rotting, buried wood provides such an environment. Other occurrences of Phosphuranylite are the result of alteration of primary uranium mineral such as uraninite, a uranium oxide. Some black uraninite are often left as an interior core surrounded by Phosphuranylite and the fluorescent autunite. It is also important to note that the minerals are radioactive. Thus, they should be kept separated from other minerals that might be damaged by the radioactivity and of course human exposure should be limited.
Phosphuranylite is most commonly found in deep golden to straw yellow in color, which can be seen more fascinatingly attractive when viewed with the aid of polarized light microscopes. Phosphuranylite is also most commonly found exhibiting vitreous luster when viewed in reflected light of petrographic polarizing light microscope. Most Phosphuranylite crystals are generally found translucent in appearance. Mineral Phosphuranylite is known to crystallize in the orthorhombic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, this orthorhombic crystal system comprises crystals having three mutually perpendicular axes, of which all are of different lengths. The crystal habit of the mineral Phosphuranylite as described in the field of optical mineralogy usually includes tiny platy crystals, crusts and fossil wood replacement masses, which can be seen more clearly exhibited when mineral is viewed with the aid of polarizing light microscopes. Phosphuranylite is also commonly found showing perfect basal cleavage in one direction when specimen is viewed under petrographic polarizing light microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Phosphuranylite is also known to have earthy fracture that can be easily noticed when specimen is evaluated with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. The hardness measure of mineral Phosphuranylite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 2.5. Phosphuranylite is also most commonly found leaving a yellow streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. The specific gravity measure of the mineral Phosphuranylite is approximately 4.1 grams per cubic centimeters, which is well above average for translucent minerals. Mineral Phosphuranylite is a non-fluorescent mineral. It is also a radioactive mineral are mentioned above. The best field indicators of mineral Phosphuranylite usually include crystal habit, non-fluorescence, color, radioactivity, and associations. Mineral Phosphuranylite is most commonly found associated with other minerals including torbernite, uraninite, autunite, and other uranium bearing minerals. Phosphuranylite notably occurs at several localities including Spain, Republic of Congo, France, Germany, Brazil, and many areas in USA.
