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 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Arsenuranospathite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Arsenuranospathite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. 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 — Arsenuranospathite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Arsenuranospathite leaves yellow, Chernikovite leaves pale yellow.
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
- HAl(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·20H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates, Thin Plates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright Green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find arsenuranospathite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Joachimsthal, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where arsenuranospathite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, meta-autunite, pharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, thin plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find arsenuranospathite on the map
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