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 — Lermontovite leaves yellowish, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads dull on Lermontovite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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