Arapovite is a rare uranium-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the steacyite group. It typically occurs as small, prismatic, dark green crystals in alkaline pegmatites and is highly sought after by collectors of radioactive species.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous and pitchy

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareSteacyite Group family

Arapovite

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Vitreous and pitchy
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this arapovite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch arapovite with a known reference. Arapovite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous and pitchy.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark green.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: inclusions, intergrown crystals.

Often confused with

Arapovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside arapovite

Minerals reported to co-occur with arapovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₀.₅(Na₀.₅Ca₁.₅)USi₈O₂₀
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6
Density: 3.43 g/cm³
Colors: Dark green
Luster: Vitreous and pitchy
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Inclusions, intergrown crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As dark green zones in turkestanite crystals in a glacial cobble in moraine rich in alkaline rock fragments

Where rockhounds find arapovite

Classic worldwide localities

Moraine of the Dara-i-Pioz glacier, the Alai mountain ridge, Tien-Shan Mountains, northern Tajikistan (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As dark green zones in turkestanite crystals in a glacial cobble in moraine rich in alkaline rock fragments. If you start seeing microcline, aegirine, polylithionite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: inclusions, intergrown crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify arapovite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. Luster: vitreous and pitchy. Common colors include dark green.

Where is arapovite found?+

Notable localities include Moraine of the Dara-i-Pioz glacier, the Alai mountain ridge, Tien-Shan Mountains, northern Tajikistan (type locality).

Is arapovite safe to handle?+

Arapovite contains uranium or thorium and calls for real care. Contains uranium and thorium; handle with care using gloves and store in a sealed container away from living spaces to minimize exposure to radon gas.

What rocks look like arapovite?+

Arapovite is most often confused with Steacyite, Ekanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with arapovite?+

Arapovite commonly co-occurs with Microcline, Aegirine, Polylithionite, Stillwellite-, Turkestanite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does arapovite form in?+

Where it forms: As dark green zones in turkestanite crystals in a glacial cobble in moraine rich in alkaline rock fragments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is arapovite used for?+

Arapovite is used in collector.

Find arapovite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.