Becquerelite is a striking secondary uranium mineral that forms beautiful, bright yellow to amber-colored tabular crystals. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits as an alteration product of uraninite. Collectors value it for its vibrant color, though it requires strict safety protocols due to its radioactivity.
Is this becquerelite?
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 becquerelite with a known reference. Becquerelite 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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish yellow, golden yellow, orange, lemon.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crystalline.
Often confused with
Becquerelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Curite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Becquerelite leaves yellow, Curite leaves orange.
How to tell apart: Soddyite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Becquerelite leaves yellow, Soddyite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine to greasy on Becquerelite and vitreous to adamantine, dull when earthy on Soddyite.
How to tell apart: Kasolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Becquerelite leaves yellow, Kasolite leaves pale yellow-brown; luster reads adamantine to greasy on Becquerelite and subadamantine to greasy, dull to earthy when massive on Kasolite.
Often found alongside becquerelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with becquerelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 5.09-5.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine to greasy
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crystalline
- Cleavage
- {001} perfect; {101}, {010}, and {110} imperfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A weathering product of uraninite in the oxidized portions of uranium deposits and, more rarely, in pegmatites
Where rockhounds find becquerelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monument No. 2 and Cato Sells mines, Apache Co., Arizona, USA
- Pumpkin Buttes, Campbell Co., Wyoming, USA
- Paguate, Valencia Co., New Mexico, USA
- A few others of the Colorado Plateau uranium deposits, USA
- Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Schlema-Harlenstein, Saxony, and Wölsendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A weathering product of uraninite in the oxidized portions of uranium deposits and, more rarely, in pegmatites. If you start seeing uraninite, schoepite, soddyite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify becquerelite?+
Where is becquerelite found?+
Is becquerelite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like becquerelite?+
What minerals are found with becquerelite?+
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Find becquerelite on the map
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