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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 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, so Chistyakovaite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chistyakovaite leaves yellow, Phosphuranylite leaves light yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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(AsO₄)₂F·6.5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- 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
Where rockhounds find chistyakovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal uranium-bearing veins. If you start seeing uraninite, torbernite, autunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify chistyakovaite?+
Where is chistyakovaite found?+
Is chistyakovaite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like chistyakovaite?+
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Find chistyakovaite on the map
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