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 — 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 — 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 — that is 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?+
Where is bauranoite found?+
How much is bauranoite worth?+
Is bauranoite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like bauranoite?+
What minerals are found with bauranoite?+
What kind of rock does bauranoite form in?+
What is bauranoite used for?+
Find bauranoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
