Chistyakovaite is a rare secondary uranium mineral typically forming small, vibrant yellow platy crystals or crusts on radioactive host rocks. It is most frequently encountered as a collector's mineral from uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits where weathering has occurred.
Is this chistyakovaite?
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 chistyakovaite with a known reference. Chistyakovaite 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. Chistyakovaite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Chistyakovaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Chistyakovaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chistyakovaite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Chistyakovaite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Chistyakovaite and earthy on Phosphuranylite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Chistyakovaite leaves yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside chistyakovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with chistyakovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.15 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium-bearing Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find chistyakovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- France
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium-bearing veins country — that is the host setting where chistyakovaite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, torbernite, autunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find chistyakovaite on the map
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