General Information:
Chemical Formula:
U++++++(Nb,Ta)2O8
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 578.25 gm)
Uranium 41.16 % U
Tantalum 9.39 % Ta
Niobium 27.31 % Nb
Oxygen 22.13 % O
Empirical Formula:
UNb1.7Ta0.3O8
Environment:
Epitaxial crust on petschekite crystals.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1978
Locality:
Antsaoka I pegmatite, Berere region, near Tsaratanana, Madagascar.
Name Origin:
Named for Georges Liandrat and his wife, of Samoens, France, who had prospected extensively in Madagascar.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
brown, brownish yellow, or yellow.
Density:
6.8
Diaphaniety:
Translucent
Habits:
Metamict - Mineral originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage., Encrustations - Forms crust-like aggregates on matrix.,
Hardness:
3.5 - Copper Penny
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
yellow
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