Uricite is a rare organic mineral form of uric acid, C5H4N4O3. It is a soft yellowish white mineral which crystallizes in the monoclinic system.

Uricite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
C5H4N4O3
IMA symbolUri[1]
Strunz classification10.CA.40
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 14.46 Å, b = 7.4 Å
c = 6.2 Å; β = 65.2°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorYellowish white, colorless, light brown
Mohs scale hardness1–2
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity1.85 (calculated)
Optical propertiesBiaxial
References[2][3][4]

Discovery and occurrence

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It was first described in 1973 for an occurrence in bat guano in Dingo Donga Cave, Eucla, Western Australia.[2] The name is for its composition, anhydrous uric acid. It occurs with biphosphammite, brushite and syngenite at the type locality in Dingo Donga Cave.[3]

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. ^ a b Uricite on Mindat.org
  3. ^ a b Handbook of Mineralogy
  4. ^ Uricite data on Webmineral