Is Pitchblende and Uraninite the Same?

Uraninite, formerly pitchblende, is a radioactive, uranium-rich mineral and ore with a chemical composition that is largely UO₂ but because of oxidation typically contains variable proportions of U₃O₈. ... Radioactive decay of the uranium causes the mineral to contain oxides of lead and trace amounts of helium.

When did pitchblende become uraninite?

Pitchblende, later renamed uraninite (due to the presence of uranium), was discovered as early as the 15th century in silver mines near the Czech/German border, but it had very little use at the time, except as an agent that turned ceramics and glass a yellow-green color.

Is uranium a pitchblende?

Pitchblende is a radioactive, uranium-rich mineral and ore. It has a chemical composition that is largely UO₂, but also contains UO₃ and oxides of lead, thorium, and rare earth elements. It is known as pitchblende due to its black color and high density.