Metasaléeite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms through the dehydration of saléeite. Collectors should look for thin, yellow, micaceous tabular crystals often found as crusts on rock surfaces in uranium-rich deposits.
Is this metasaléeite?
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 metasaléeite with a known reference. Metasaléeite 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. Metasaléeite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metasaléeite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Metasaléeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metasaléeite leaves pale yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Metasaléeite and vitreous on Torbernite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metasaléeite leaves pale yellow, Meta-autunite leaves yellow.
Often found alongside metasaléeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metasaléeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find metasaléeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Salée mine, France
- Margnac mine, France
- Lodève, France
- Wheal Basset, UK
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where metasaléeite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, gummite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metasaléeite on the map
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