Bauranoite is an extremely rare barium-uranium silicate mineral typically found as earthy, yellow crusts in oxidized zones of uranium deposits. Due to its radioactive and chemically toxic nature, it is strictly a specimen for advanced mineral collectors who understand specialized handling protocols for radioactive materials.
Is this bauranoite?
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 bauranoite with a known reference. Bauranoite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bauranoite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bauranoite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or earthy crusts.
Often confused with
Bauranoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bauranoite leaves yellow, Uranophane leaves pale yellow; luster reads dull on Bauranoite and vitreous on Uranophane.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Bauranoite and pearly on Boltwoodite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Bauranoite leaves yellow, Cuprosklodowskite leaves pale green; luster reads dull on Bauranoite and vitreous on Cuprosklodowskite.
Often found alongside bauranoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bauranoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba(UO₂)Si₂O₅(OH)₂·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or Earthy Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find bauranoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Oktyabrskoye deposit, Ukraine
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium deposits country, the host setting where bauranoite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, calcite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or earthy crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify bauranoite?+
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How much is bauranoite worth?+
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Find bauranoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
