General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Bi2U2O9·3(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 1,092.06 gm)
Uranium 43.59 % U
Bismuth 38.27 % Bi
Hydrogen 0.55 % H
Oxygen 17.58 % O
Empirical Formula:
Bi2U2O9·3(H2O)
Environment:
Oxidic zone of "gummite" alteration of uraninite.
Locality:
Shinkolobwe, Shaba, Zaire.
Name Origin:
Named for the compostition uranium and the Greek for sphere, in allusion to its globular forms.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[001] Good
Color:
orange, red orange, or brick red.
Density:
6.36
Habits:
Botryoidal - "Grape-like" rounded forms (e.g.. malachite)., Radial - Crystals radiate from a center without producing stellar forms (e.g. stibnite),
Hardness:
2-3 - Gypsum-Calcite
Luster:
Greasy (Oily)
Streak:
yellow
More details...