Blatonite is a rare uranyl carbonate mineral that typically forms as delicate, fibrous, or acicular yellow coatings on uranium-bearing host rocks. It is most frequently identified in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits and requires careful handling due to its radioactivity.
Is this blatonite?
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 blatonite with a known reference. Blatonite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: canary yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, radial.
Often confused with
Blatonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Blatonite leaves white, Rutherfordine leaves yellow; luster reads silky on Blatonite and dull to earthy, silky if fibrous on Rutherfordine.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Blatonite leaves white, Liebigite leaves yellow white; luster reads silky on Blatonite and vitreous to pearly on cleavages on Liebigite.
Often found alongside blatonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with blatonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- UO₂CO₃·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.05 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, aggregates, radial
- Cleavage
- Parting on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In seams of gypsum in the oxidized portions of a roll-front-type uranium deposit in silty conglomerate
Where rockhounds find blatonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jomac mine, White Canyon district, San Juan Co., Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In seams of gypsum in the oxidized portions of a roll-front-type uranium deposit in silty conglomerate. If you start seeing gypsum, boltwoodite, coconinoite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, aggregates, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify blatonite?+
Where is blatonite found?+
Is blatonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like blatonite?+
What minerals are found with blatonite?+
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Find blatonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
