Brannerite is a rare uranium titanium oxide mineral typically found in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal environments. It usually appears as black, prismatic crystals that often suffer from metamictization, making them appear dull or earthy over time.
Is this brannerite?
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 brannerite with a known reference. Brannerite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brannerite leaves a brownish-yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Brannerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Brannerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Allanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4.5); streak differs — Brannerite leaves brownish-yellow, Allanite leaves gray; luster reads vitreous on Brannerite and submetallic on Allanite.
How to tell apart: Euxenite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6.5 vs. 4.5); streak differs — Brannerite leaves brownish-yellow, Euxenite leaves yellowish, grayish, or reddish-brown; luster reads vitreous on Brannerite and submetallic, resinous, greasy on Euxenite.
Often found alongside brannerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with brannerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (U,Ca,Y,Ce)(Ti,Fe)₂O₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 4.5-5.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish-yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Uranium
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail, $300-2000 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find brannerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ontario, Canada
- Idaho, USA
- Norway
- Portugal
- Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where brannerite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find brannerite on the map
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