The chemical formula of Meta-Zeunerite is indicated by Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 – 8H2O or Hydrated Copper Uranyl Arsenate. Meta-Zeunerite is actually a Phosphate mineral. It is considered as a very minor ore of uranium. It is also usually used as mineral specimen and it is often found exhibiting interesting microscope images when viewed under polarizing light microscope. Meta-Zeunerite is actually a dehydration product of mineral zeunerite. Mineral zeunerite converts to Meta-Zeunerite when it losses water. Thus, it undergoes the process called pseudomorphism. 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. It was named with the meta prefix to indicate a lower hydration level and its relationship to mineral zeunerite. Pseudomorph means false shape. Meta-Zeunerite was first discovered at Saxony, Germany in 1937.

            Mineral Meta-Zeunerite is most commonly found varying from pale to dark green color that could appear more interesting when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Meta-Zeunerite is also most commonly found exhibiting vitreous to dull luster when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. Most crystals of mineral Meta-Zeunerite are found translucent to opaque in appearance. Meta-Zeunerite is known to crystallize in the tetragonal system of crystal formation. In the field of optical mineralogy, this tetragonal system comprises crystals having three axes, which are all in a position perpendicular to one another. Two axes are usually found having the same or equal length.            The crystal habit of mineral Meta-Zuenerite as described in the field of optical mineralogy includes tabular square crystals dominated by two pinacoid faces. It can be also found showing bipyramidal crystals. Meta-Zeunerite can look cubic or pseudocubic as well. It can be also found as crusts, micaceous, foliated, and earthy. It is also interesting to note that almost all meta-zeunerite crystals are pseudomorphs of zeunerite.

Meta-Zeunerite is most commonly found showing perfect cleavage in one direction, which can be seen more clearly visible when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. It is also commonly found showing uneven fracture when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope for mineralogists. The hardness measure of Meta-Zeunerite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 2.5. Meta-Zeunerite is most commonly found leaving a pale green streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. The specific gravity measure of the mineral is approximately 3.85, which is above average for translucent minerals and higher than Zeunerite due to loss of water molecules.

Meta-Zeunerite as mentioned above is radioactive. It is most commonly found showing a uniaxial negative figure when viewed between crossed nicols of petrographic polarizing light microscope. It is also a weakly pleochroic mineral with moderate surface relief when viewed under several adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of the polarized microscope used in optical mineralogy field. It is sometimes found weakly dichroic when viewed under petrographic polarizing light microscopes for mineralogists. The indices of refraction may vary continuously with the content of zeolitic water within the limits of the phase. It is however a non-fluorescent mineral but its cleavage sheets are surprisingly brittle. Meta-Zeunerite is actually a rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of arsenic-bearing hydrothermal uranium. It is also important to note that Meta-Zeunerite is a radioactive mineral due to its uranium content. Thus, it should be stored away from other minerals affected by radioactivity and human exposure should be limited. The best field indicators of mineral Meta-Zeunerite inclused color, crystal habit, non-fluorescence, higher density than zeunerite, radioactivity, associations, cleavage and brittle cleavage sheets. Meta-Zeunerite is most commonly found associated with barite, fluorite, limonite, quartz, olivenite, brochantite, uraninite, and other uranium minerals. Metaa-Zeunerite notably occurs at several localities including some areas in USA including Utah, California and Arizona. It can be also found in Germany, England, and in some other localities with uranium arsenic minerals.