Magnesiozippeite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms as thin, delicate crusts and acicular crystals in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits. It is most easily identified by its vibrant yellow-green fluorescence under shortwave UV light and its close association with other secondary uranium sulfates.
Is this magnesiozippeite?
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 magnesiozippeite with a known reference. Magnesiozippeite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: earthy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: encrustations.
Often confused with
Magnesiozippeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside magnesiozippeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with magnesiozippeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg(UO₂)₂(SO₄)O₂·3.5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 3.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Secondary mineral formed at low pH (<5) from the oxidation of sulfides in uranium-bearing deposits
Where rockhounds find magnesiozippeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lucky Strike Mine, Utah, USA
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
- Musonoi Mine, DR Congo
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Secondary mineral formed at low pH (<5) from the oxidation of sulfides in uranium-bearing deposits. If you start seeing gypsum, johannite, uraninite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify magnesiozippeite?+
Where is magnesiozippeite found?+
Is magnesiozippeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like magnesiozippeite?+
What minerals are found with magnesiozippeite?+
What kind of rock does magnesiozippeite form in?+
What is magnesiozippeite used for?+
Find magnesiozippeite on the map
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