Heinrichite from Schmiedestollen, Germany (width 4 mm) — Photo: Klaproth · CC BY-SA 3.0
Heinrichite
A barium uranyl arsenate named for mineralogist Eberhardt William Heinrich, who noted it in 1958.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Heinrichite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Ba(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·10H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 3.579; White streak; Vitreous to pearly luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Hrc, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1958.
Found as a secondary mineral in oxidized uranium deposits.
It is found associated with Metaheinrichite, zeunerite, nováčekite, erythrite, pitticite, arseniosiderite, uraninite.
The mineral was named to honor Professor Eberhardt William Heinrich (1918-1991), mineralogist, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.