Albrechtschraufite is an exceptionally rare secondary uranium mineral that forms delicate, pearly-yellow tabular crystals. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors due to its scarcity and distinct fluorescent properties.
Is this albrechtschraufite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch albrechtschraufite with a known reference. Albrechtschraufite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Albrechtschraufite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Albrechtschraufite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating clusters.
Often confused with
Albrechtschraufite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Albrechtschraufite leaves white, Liebigite leaves pale yellow; luster reads pearly on Albrechtschraufite and vitreous on Liebigite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Albrechtschraufite and vitreous on Andersonite.
Often found alongside albrechtschraufite
Minerals reported to co-occur with albrechtschraufite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Mg(UO₂)(CO₃)₃F₈·17H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Clusters
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium Veins
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find albrechtschraufite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium veins country — that is the host setting where albrechtschraufite typically forms. If you start seeing schrockingerite, liebigite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find albrechtschraufite on the map
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