There are 40 minerals that start with the letter U. From Uakitite to Uranyl Vanadate. Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a defined chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are the building blocks of rocks and are classified based on their chemical properties, crystal structure, and texture. Minerals form through a variety of geological processes, including crystallization from molten rock, precipitation from solutions, and metamorphism under high pressure and temperature. They are essential not only for geological processes but also for many industrial applications and are critical for life, serving as nutrients in biological systems.
An intriguing fact about minerals is that some larval insects use mineral particles from the environment to enhance their camouflage, adapting to their surroundings for protection against predators. This innovative use of minerals demonstrates the complex interactions between organisms and their natural habitats.
Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:
Column Name: This column indicates the specific chemical elements or compounds that make up the mineral, defining its identity and properties.
Mohs hardness: This column provides a numerical scale from 1 to 10 that ranks the hardness of the mineral based on its ability to scratch or be scratched by other substances.
Common uses: This column outlines the various applications or industries where the mineral is utilized, highlighting its practical importance in everyday life and technology.
Description: This column includes a brief overview of the mineral’s appearance, characteristics, and unique features, providing essential information for identification and understanding its role in geology and industry.
Minerals That Start With U
| Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uakitite | NaCa(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uatumite | (Mg,Fe,Ni)2SiO4 | 5.5-6.5(1.0) | None |
| Ubrainite | (Ni,Fe)2+xO3 | 5.5-6.0(1.0) | None |
| Ubriquetite | (Pb,Ba)(V,Cr)O4 | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | Mineral specimen |
| Uchalcoite | Cu(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | Mineral specimen |
| Uclehydite | PbCu(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)?�4-6H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | Mineral specimen |
| Uengite | Hg3S2Cl2 | 1-10(2.0) | scientific research |
| Ueyamite | Ca(UO2)2(V2O8)�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uhelinite | SrCO3(UO2)2(VO4)2�4-6H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uigite | Ra(UO2)2V2O8�6-8H2O | 2.0-2.5(2.25) | Mineral specimen |
| Uklonskovite | Na(UO2)2(VO4)2�6H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Ukrainite | Cu2+(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(1.0) | None |
| Ulexite | NaCaB5O9�8H2O | 1.0-2.0(1.0) | ‘Optical calcite’, fertilizer |
| Ullmannite | NiSbS | 1-10(5.5) | steel production |
| Ulrichite | Cu(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Umangite | Cu3Se2 | 1-10(2.5) | electronics |
| Ungarettiite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Upaleite | Mg2Al4(UO2)2(VO4)4(OH)4�10-12H2O | 2.5-3.0(1.0) | None |
| Upalite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(1.0) | None |
| Uralolite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uralorthoclase | Uralowite | Uranocylite | Uranocylite-Alpha |
| Uraninite | UO2 | 1-10(5.5) | nuclear fuel |
| Urano-Organic Compounds | Various organic-uranium compounds | 1-10(varies) | nuclear industry |
| Urano-Thorite | (U,Th)SiO4 | 1-10(5.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranocilite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�5-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranocylite | (UO2)2CO3(OH)3 | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranocylite-Beta | (UO2)2CO3(OH)3 | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranogummite | UO2(OH)2 | 1-10(3.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranomicrolite | (U,Ca,Y)(Ta,Nb)2O6(OH) | 1-10(5.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranophane | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2�5-6H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranopilite | (UO2)6(SO4)(OH)10�12H2O | 1-10(2.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranopolycrase | (U,Y,Ca,Ce)(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6 | 1-10(5.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranosilite | (UO2)SiO4 | 1-10(3.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranospathite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranospinite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2�8-10H2O | 1-10(3.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranothorite | ThSiO4 | 1-10(5.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranotile | Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2�5-6H2O | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
| Uranyl Acetate | UO2(CH3COO)2�2H2O | 1-10(2.5) | scientific research |
| Uranyl Silicate | UO2SiO4�2H2O | 1-10(3.0) | nuclear industry |
| Uranyl Vanadate | UO2(VO4) | 1-10(3.5) | nuclear industry |
Descriptions
Uakitite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a green to yellow-green color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uatumite
A magnesium-iron-nickel silicate mineral found in ultramafic rocks. It has a greenish-yellow color and a vitreous luster.
Ubrainite
A nickel-iron oxide mineral that forms as black to dark brown octahedral crystals. It is found in serpentinized ultramafic rocks.
Ubriquetite
A rare vanadate mineral with a bright yellow color. It typically forms small crystals or crusts. Found in oxidized lead deposits.
Uchalcoite
A rare hydrous copper uranyl vanadate mineral with a bright green color. It typically forms small, prismatic crystals or crusts. Found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Uclehydite
A rare hydrous lead copper uranyl vanadate mineral with a bright green color. It typically forms small, prismatic crystals or crusts. Found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Uengite
A rare mercury sulfur chloride mineral with a black to dark gray color. It forms cubic crystals and is found in mercury ore deposits.
Ueyamite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uhelinite
A rare strontium uranium vanadate mineral with a green to yellow-green color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uigite
A rare hydrous radium uranyl vanadate mineral with a bright green color. It typically forms small, prismatic crystals or crusts. Found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Uklonskovite
A rare sodium uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Ukrainite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral that forms as yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Ulexite
A borate mineral that forms silky, fibrous masses. It is used as a source of boron and in the production of optical ‘calcite’ for certain devices.
Ullmannite
A nickel antimony sulfide mineral with a silver-white to gray color. It forms cubic crystals and is found in nickel and cobalt ores.
Ulrichite
A rare copper uranium vanadate mineral with a green to yellow-green color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Umangite
A rare copper selenide mineral with a lead-gray to steel-gray color. It forms granular to massive aggregates and is found in copper-selenium ore deposits.
Ungarettiite
A rare lead uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Upaleite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral that forms as yellow to yellowish-green prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Upalite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral that forms as yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Uralolite
A rare calcium uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uralorthoclase
Uranocylite-Gamma
Uraninite
The primary uranium oxide mineral, often used as a nuclear fuel. It has a black to greenish-black color and forms cubic crystals or massive aggregates. It is found in granitic and pegmatitic rocks.
Urano-Organic Compounds
A group of rare organic-uranium compounds with diverse chemical compositions and properties. They are found in uranium deposits and are of interest for their potential nuclear applications.
Urano-Thorite
A rare uranium-thorium silicate mineral with a brown to black color. It forms tetragonal crystals and is found in granitic and pegmatitic rocks.
Uranocilite
A rare calcium uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uranocylite
A rare uranium carbonate hydroxide mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranocylite-Beta
A rare uranium carbonate hydroxide mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranogummite
A rare uranium oxide hydroxide mineral with a yellow to orange-yellow color. It forms botryoidal or massive aggregates and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranomicrolite
A rare uranium tantalum niobate mineral with a dark brown to black color. It forms octahedral crystals and is found in pegmatites and granitic rocks.
Uranophane
A common uranium silicate mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranopilite
A rare uranium sulfate hydroxide mineral with a bright yellow to pale green color. It forms fibrous or acicular crystals and is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Uranopolycrase
A rare uranium titanium niobate mineral with a black to dark brown color. It forms octahedral crystals and is found in pegmatites and granitic rocks.
Uranosilite
A rare uranium silicate mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranospathite
A rare calcium uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Uranospinite
A rare calcium uranium arsenate mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranothorite
A rare thorium silicate mineral with a brown to black color. It forms tetragonal crystals and is found in granitic and pegmatitic rocks.
Uranotile
A rare calcium uranium silicate mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranyl Acetate
A yellow, water-soluble salt used as a stain in electron microscopy and as a reagent in analytical chemistry.
Uranyl Silicate
A rare uranium silicate mineral with a bright yellow to lemon-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Uranyl Vanadate
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a yellow to greenish-yellow color. It forms tabular to prismatic crystals and is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
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