Uranosphaerite

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
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