Uranosphaerite

 IMA-GP
Uranium 5.9.1.1
(Dana Classification Number)
(No Images) 4/H.08-10
(Strunz ID)

Property Data Remarks
Named for: Its Uranium content, and the Greek word for sphere, an allusion to its globular forms
Alternate
    Name(s):
  		•  
    Mineral Class: Oxides & Hydroxides -
    - Uranosphaerite series    		  
    Chemical
        Formula:    		 Bi2U2O9 · 3H2O  
    Chemical
        Composition:
    Bismuth: (Bi) 38.27%
    Hydrogen: (H) 0.55%
    Oxygen: (O) 17.58%
    Uranium: (U) 43.59%
    		by weight
    Molecular
        Weight:    		 1,092.06 daltons (amu)
    Specific
        Radioactivity:

    (All radiation is for a 1 gram, fully aged specimen)

    Specific Activity Dose Rate
    Becquerels Curies milliRems/hour microSieverts/hour
    8.0693 × 1004 2.18 × 10-06 1.03 103.36

    Estimated Average Annual Exposure: 360 mRem (3.6 milliSieverts)
    Crystalography:
    System: Orthorhombic
    Axial Ratios: a:b:c = ::
    Cell Dimensions: a=, b=, c=, Z=; V= Den(Calc)=
    H-M Symbol:
    Space Group:
    X Ray Diffraction: By Intensity(I/Io): 3.16(1) 1.83(0.8) 3.87(0.7)
    		 
    Habit:
  • Botryoidal
  • Radial
    		•   
    Cleavage:
    [001] Good
    [010]
    [100]
    		 
    Fracture:    
    Moh's
        Hardness:    		 2 - 3  
    Density: 6.36 grams/cm3
    Color: Brick red, Reddish orange, Orange, Orange-yellow  
    Streak: Yellow to Orange-yellow  
    Luster: Greasy  
    Diaphaneity:    
    Pleochroism:
    (x): None
    (y:) None
    (z:) None
    		 
    Ultra Violet
        Fluorescence:
    Long Wave:
    Short Wave:
    		 
    Magnetism: Non-magnetic  
    Occurance:
  • Oxidic zone of "gummite" alteration of uraninite
    		•   
    Associated
        Minerals:

    Autunite, Bismuth, Bornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Copper, Dewindtite, Galena, Gold, Hematite, Novácekite, Torbernite, Uranocircite, Uranophane, Walpurgite, Zeunerite

    Mineral   -   > 65% of sites
    Mineral   -   > 40% of sites
    Minerals   -   Uranium & Thorium
    mineral links

    		These are minerals known to be found with Uranosphaerite
    Locations:

    Very rare

    Uranosphaerite Locations
    Notes:

    Strongly radioactive a- and b-particles, g-rays.

    Crystals are probably metamic.