Metakirchheimerite is a rare secondary uranium mineral often forming delicate, pink tabular crystals or crusts. Collectors primarily look for it in oxidized zones of cobalt-bearing uranium deposits, where it is often associated with other fluorescent minerals.
Is this metakirchheimerite?
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 metakirchheimerite with a known reference. Metakirchheimerite 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. Metakirchheimerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metakirchheimerite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, pale pink, rose.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous crusts.
Often confused with
Metakirchheimerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metakirchheimerite leaves white, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metakirchheimerite leaves white, Meta-autunite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metakirchheimerite leaves white, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Metakirchheimerite and vitreous on Torbernite.
Often found alongside metakirchheimerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metakirchheimerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Co(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium-cobalt Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find metakirchheimerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wittichen, Germany
- Menzenschwand, Germany
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium-cobalt veins country — that is the host setting where metakirchheimerite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, baryte, uraninite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metakirchheimerite on the map
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