Lermontovite is a rare, radioactive uranium phosphate mineral typically found as earthy or botryoidal crusts in hydrothermal uranium deposits. Due to its radioactive nature, it is primarily sought after by advanced collectors of uranium-bearing species.
Is this lermontovite?
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 lermontovite with a known reference. Lermontovite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lermontovite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lermontovite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Lermontovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lermontovite leaves yellowish, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads dull on Lermontovite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lermontovite leaves yellowish, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads dull on Lermontovite and vitreous on Torbernite.
Often found alongside lermontovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lermontovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (U,Ca,Ce,Pb)₃(PO₄)₂(OH,F)₄·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.5-5.0 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find lermontovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lermontov deposit, Caucasus, Russia
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium deposits country, the host setting where lermontovite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lermontovite?+
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Find lermontovite on the map
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