Meisserite is a rare uranyl sulfate mineral typically found as small, bright yellow tabular crystals in oxidized uranium deposits. It is primarily known from the Blue Lizard mine in Utah, where it occurs as a secondary mineral in association with other rare sulfates. Due to its radioactive nature and extreme rarity, it is a highly specialized specimen for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this meisserite?
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 meisserite with a known reference. Meisserite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: very pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, yellowish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Meisserite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meisserite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meisserite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₅(UO₂)(SO₄)₃(SO₃OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.208 g/cm³
- Streak
- Very pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates
- Cleavage
- Fair on {100} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As efflorescences on sandstone in the underground workings of a roll-front type uranium deposit, the product of weathering and oxidation of primary uraninite
Where rockhounds find meisserite
Classic worldwide localities
- Blue Lizard Mine, Red Canyon, White Canyon district, San Juan Co., Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As efflorescences on sandstone in the underground workings of a roll-front type uranium deposit, the product of weathering and oxidation of primary uraninite. If you start seeing chalcanthite, copiapite, ferrinatrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify meisserite?+
Where is meisserite found?+
Is meisserite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like meisserite?+
What minerals are found with meisserite?+
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Find meisserite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
