Thorogummite is always a
replacement pseudomorph after
Thorite, and is sometimes thought as being a variety of that mineral. However, Thorogummite is regarded by the
IMA as a distinct mineral species with its own
chemical formula. It forms when Thorite starts decaying from the
radioactive metamiction process. When this happens, its crystal edges become rounded and smooth, and it eventually loses some
silica (SiO
4)
molecules in its structure. The areas in the structure where the silica molecules were are replaced by
hydroxyl (OH) molecules, and thus begins the transformation into Thorogummite.
Thorogummite is a highly radioactive mineral, and should be stored with all the precautions exercised with radioactive minerals.
