Arsenuranospathite is a rare, radioactive secondary uranium mineral found in the oxidation zones of uranium-bearing deposits. It typically forms as delicate, tabular yellow to greenish-yellow crystals or micaceous crusts that are visually similar to other members of the meta-autunite group.
Is this arsenuranospathite?
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 arsenuranospathite with a known reference. Arsenuranospathite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, light yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, thin plates.
Often confused with
Arsenuranospathite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenuranospathite leaves white, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenuranospathite leaves white, Meta-autunite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Arsenuranospathite and pearly to dull on Meta-autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenuranospathite leaves white, Chernikovite leaves yellow white.
Often found alongside arsenuranospathite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arsenuranospathite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂F·20H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 2.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, thin plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; good on {100} and {010}
- Fluorescence
- Weak greenish fluorescence under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in uranium deposits
Where rockhounds find arsenuranospathite
Classic worldwide localities
- Black Forest, at Menzenschwand and on the dump of the Sophia mine, near Wittichen, Germany
- Rabéjac uranium deposit, seven km south-southeast of Lodève, Hérault, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in uranium deposits. If you start seeing zeunerite, uranophane, studtite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, thin plates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arsenuranospathite?+
Where is arsenuranospathite found?+
Is arsenuranospathite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like arsenuranospathite?+
What minerals are found with arsenuranospathite?+
What kind of rock does arsenuranospathite form in?+
What is arsenuranospathite used for?+
Find arsenuranospathite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
