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 — Curite leaves orange, Becquerelite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Curite leaves orange, Fourmarierite leaves orange-yellow.
How to tell apart: Curite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs — 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 — that is 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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