General Information:
Chemical Formula:
PbU7O22·n(H2O)(n<12)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 3,874.69 gm)
Holmium 42.57 % Ho
Uranium 43.00 % U
Lead 5.35 % Pb
Oxygen 9.08 % O
Empirical Formula:
PbU7O2210(HO)
Environment:
"Gummite zone" of the uranium deposit.
Locality:
Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire.
Name Origin:
Named for Adrien Vandendriessche (1914-1940), Belgain mineralogist and geologist. Meta is used for dehydrated vandendriesscheite.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Perfect
Color:
orange or amber.
Density:
5.45
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to Translucent
Habits:
Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline)., ,
Hardness:
3 - Calcite
Luster:
Adamantine
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