Meta-ankoleite is a rare secondary uranium phosphate mineral that often forms as thin, yellow, plate-like crystals. It is typically found in the oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits and is highly sought after by radioactive mineral collectors due to its intense green fluorescence.
Is this meta-ankoleite?
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 meta-ankoleite with a known reference. Meta-ankoleite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: aggregates, lamellar.
Often confused with
Meta-ankoleite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside meta-ankoleite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meta-ankoleite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 3.54 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; distinct on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Yellow green under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the weathered zone of a complex granite pegmatite (Mungenyi pegmatite, Uganda) and the sericitic matrix of a quartz sandstone (Sebungwe district, Zimbabwe)
Where rockhounds find meta-ankoleite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
- Mungenyi pegmatite, about 65 km southwest of Mbarara, Ankole district, Uganda
- Sebungwe district, Zimbabwe
- St. Yrieux, near Limoges, Haute-Vienne, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the weathered zone of a complex granite pegmatite (Mungenyi pegmatite, Uganda) and the sericitic matrix of a quartz sandstone (Sebungwe district, Zimbabwe). If you start seeing muscovite, albite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, lamellar. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify meta-ankoleite?+
Where is meta-ankoleite found?+
Is meta-ankoleite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like meta-ankoleite?+
What minerals are found with meta-ankoleite?+
What kind of rock does meta-ankoleite form in?+
What is meta-ankoleite used for?+
Find meta-ankoleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
