Richetite

richetite

becquerelite

masuyite

wolsendorfite

Images

Formula: (Fe3+,Mg)xPb2+8.6(UO2)36O36(OH)24.41H2O
It has been suggested that the correct formula should be (Fe,Mg)0.5Pb4.5(U5+(UO2)17O18(OH)14](H2O)~19.5 reflecting the presence of rare pentavalent uranium U5+, that is also present in wyartite, shinkolobweite and nollmotzite (Mindat).

Uranyl hydroxide
Crystal System: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 6.194 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Colour: Coffee-brown to black, green
RADIOACTIVE
Environments

Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments

Localities

At Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic, richetite is associated with metazeunerite, nováčekite, zeunerite, antlerite and langite (HOM).

At the type locality, the Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove Territory, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo, richetite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidised zone of the uranium deposit, associated with uraninite, uranophane, becquerelite, masuyite, torbernite, kasolite, rutherfordine and wölsendorfite (Mindat, HOM).

Richetite from Shinkolobwe - Image

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