Curite is a striking secondary uranium mineral that forms through the alteration of uraninite in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits. Collectors typically seek out its vibrant orange to reddish-orange needle-like crystals or dense fibrous aggregates, which are frequently found in classic Congolese deposits.
Is this curite?
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 curite with a known reference. Curite 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. Curite leaves a orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Curite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, orange-red, reddish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular needles, fibrous aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Curite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Curite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Curite leaves orange, Becquerelite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Curite leaves orange, Fourmarierite leaves orange-yellow.
How to tell apart: Curite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Curite leaves orange, Vandenbrandeite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Curite and vitreous on Vandenbrandeite.
Often found alongside curite
Minerals reported to co-occur with curite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₃(UO₂)₄O₄(OH)₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 7.1-7.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Needles, Fibrous Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find curite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Musonoi Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Lodève, France
- Great Bear Lake, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium deposits country, the host setting where curite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, soddyite, kasolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular needles, fibrous aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find curite on the map
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