General Information:
Chemical Formula:
U++++Fe++(Nb,Ta)2O8
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 536.79 gm)
Uranium 44.34 % U
Tantalum 8.43 % Ta
Niobium 12.98 % Nb
Iron 10.40 % Fe
Oxygen 23.84 % O
Empirical Formula:
UFe2+Nb0.75Ta0.25O8
Environment:
Petscheckite is hypothesized on theoretical grounds, having altered to oxypetscheckite and hydroxypetscheckite.
IMA Status:
Approved IMA 1978
Locality:
Antsaoka I pegmatite, Berere district, Madagascar.
Name Origin:
Named for Eckhard Petsch (1939-), of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, who was a noteworthy prospector in Madagascar.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
black.
Density:
5.5
Diaphaniety:
Opaque
Habits:
Metamict - Mineral originally crystalline, now amorphous due to radiation damage., ,
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luster:
Metallic
Streak:
brown black
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