Wölsendorfite , Becquerelite Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo Field of view: 3 mm Description: Bright red wölsendorfite crystals on yellowish orange becquerelite — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Wölsendorfite
Wölsendorfite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Pb₇(UO₂)₁₄O₁₉(OH)₄·12H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Cmcm). It is a member of the Wölsendorfite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 6.8.
IMA symbol Wsd, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1957.
A rare alteration product of uraninite in the oxide zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits.
It is found associated with Uraninite, rutherfordine, becquerelite, masuyite, kasolite, metastudtite (Shinkolobwe, Congo).
The name refers to the mineral’s first-noted occurrence at Wölsendorf, Germany.