Metaheinrichite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms distinct yellow to yellow-green tabular crystals. It is typically found in the oxidation zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits and is noted for its strong green fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this metaheinrichite?
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 metaheinrichite with a known reference. Metaheinrichite sits at Mohs 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 to white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: scaly.
Often confused with
Metaheinrichite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Metaheinrichite leaves pale yellow to white, Meta-autunite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous to pearly on Metaheinrichite and pearly to dull on Meta-autunite.
Often found alongside metaheinrichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metaheinrichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.04 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow to white
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; distinct on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright green to greenish yellow under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral derived by the weathering of primary uranium minerals
Where rockhounds find metaheinrichite
Classic worldwide localities
- White King mine, about 22 km northwest of Lakeview, Lake Co., Oregon, USA
- Black Forest, from the Sophia mine and on the Schmiedestollen dump, near Wittichen, Germany
- Anton mine, Heubachtal, near Schiltach, Germany
- Reinerzau and Menzenschwand, Germany
- Sailauf, northeast of Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany
- Saxony, from Schneeberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral derived by the weathering of primary uranium minerals. If you start seeing heinrichite, zeunerite, nováčekite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: scaly. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify metaheinrichite?+
Where is metaheinrichite found?+
Is metaheinrichite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like metaheinrichite?+
What minerals are found with metaheinrichite?+
What kind of rock does metaheinrichite form in?+
What is metaheinrichite used for?+
Find metaheinrichite on the map
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