Curite - Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo

Curite from Shinkolobwe stands as the world's finest representation of this rare secondary uranium mineral, both in terms of aesthetics and crystallographic development. Typically occurring in brilliant orange tabular crystals, curite forms as a weathering product in uranium-rich oxidized zones, often encrusting matrix material or growing in clusters on or near altered uraninite. The Shinkolobwe specimens are prized for their intense fluorescence under UV light, high uranium content, and sharply defined crystal morphology.

First identified from this very locality, curite owes its name to the famed physicists Marie and Pierre Curie. Its scientific and historical significance is matched only by its visual appeal. Collectors value these specimens not only for their rarity but for the role Shinkolobwe played in nuclear history, supplying much of the uranium used in early atomic programs. The curite from this mine continues to represent a benchmark for mineralogical excellence and geopolitical legacy.

Approx. specimen size: 25mm x 16mm x 12mm

Approx. specimen weight: 6.32 grams

Approx. specimen activity on an SE International Ranger EXP: 25000 cpm