Línekite is a very rare uranyl carbonate mineral typically occurring as thin, fragile platy crystals. It is primarily found in the secondary oxidation zones of uranium deposits and is prized by advanced radioactive mineral collectors for its vibrant fluorescence.
Is this línekite?
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 línekite with a known reference. Línekite 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: greenish white to yellowish white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale olive, khaki-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Línekite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Línekite leaves greenish white to yellowish white, Schröckingerite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Línekite and subvitreous, pearly on {001} on Schröckingerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Línekite leaves greenish white to yellowish white, Andersonite leaves white.
Often found alongside línekite
Minerals reported to co-occur with línekite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Ca₃[(UO₂)(CO₃)₃]₂(H₂O)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.922 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale oliveKhaki-green
- Streak
- Greenish white to yellowish white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}, very good on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral from uranium-rich aqueous solutions associated with post-mining processes
Where rockhounds find línekite
Classic worldwide localities
- Geschieber vein, 5th level of the Svornost (Einigkeit) mine, Jáchymov ore district, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral from uranium-rich aqueous solutions associated with post-mining processes. If you start seeing grimselite, andersonite, liebigite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify línekite?+
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Find línekite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
