The chemical formula of mineral Meta-Uranocircite is indicated by Ba(UO2)2(PO4)2 – 6-8H2O or Hydrated Barium Uranyl Phosphate. Meta-Uranocircite is actually a Phosphate mineral. Meta-Uranocircite is minor ore of uranium. It is also used as mineral specimen and it is most often found exhibiting interesting microscope images when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. In optical mineralogy, it has been found that Meta-Uranocircite is actually a dehydration product of Uranocircite. Meta-Uranocircite was named after its close cousin uranocircite. Uranocircite is converted into Meta-Uranocircite when it loses water. Thus, it becomes a pseudomorph. In optical mineralogy, a pseudomorph is generally an atom by atom replacement of one mineral’s chemistry in replacement of another. It should be noted that the outward appearance remain largely unchanged. The process is then leaving the crystal shape of the original mineral intact, but the original mineral is no longer there. Pseudomorph means false shape.
Mineral Meta-Uranocircite is most commonly found exhibiting yellow to yellow-green color that could be more splendidly interesting when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Meta-Uranocircite is also commonly found exhibiting vitreous or pearly to dull luster when viewed in reflected light of polarized microscope. The crystals of mineral Meta-Uranocircite is most commonly found translucent to opaque in appearance. Meta-Uranocircite is known to crystallize in the monoclinic system of crystal formation. . In optical mineralogy, the monoclinic system of crystal formation comprises crystals having three axes of unequal lengths. Two of which are usually found in a position that is oblique or not perpendicular to one another. However, both of which are commonly found perpendicular to the third axis. The crystal habit of the mineral as described in the field of optical mineralogy includes tabular square crystals dominated by two pinacoid faces. Crystals can actually look cubic as well as pseudocubic. Meta-Uranocircite can be also found forming crusts, micaceous, foliated and earthy forms. It is also important to note that almost all meta-uranocircite are pseudomorphs of uranocircite.
Mineral Meta-Uranocircite has one perfect cleavage in one direction, which can be seen more clearly exhibited when mineral is viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Meta-Uranocircite is also most commonly found showing uneven fracture when viewed under polarized microscope for mineralogists. The hardness measure of the mineral when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually ranging from 2 to 2.5. The specific gravity measure of the mineral is approximately 4.1 grams per cubic centimeters, which is well above average for translucent minerals and higher than uranocircite due to loss of water molecules. When Meta-Uranocircite is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate, it is commonly found exhibiting a pale yellow streak. It is important to note that the mineral is radioactive and it should be stored away from other minerals that are affected by radioactivity and human exposure should be limited. Meta-Uranocircite is also a fluorescent green mineral with cleavage sheets that are surprisingly brittle. Meta-Uranocircite is most commonly associated with other minerals including limonite, quartz, uraninite, torbernite, autonite, and other uranium minerals. Meta-Uranocircite is most commonly found showing a biaxial negative figure when viewed between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. It also has moderate surface relief display when evaluated under several adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of the petrographic polarizing microscope for mineralogists. It also has relatively strong dispersion. The best field indicators of mineral Meta-Uranocircite include color, crystal habit, fluorescence, high density, radioactivity, cleavage and brittle cleavage sheets. Some Meta-Uranocircite are found in petrified wood in Arizona. It can be also found some other areas in USA including California and South Dakota. It also notably occurs in Germany, Romania, and Madagascar.
