Metaschoepite is a secondary uranium mineral that forms through the dehydration of schoepite. It is typically found as small, bright yellow, platy crystals in the oxidation zones of uranium-rich ore bodies.
Is this metaschoepite?
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 metaschoepite with a known reference. Metaschoepite 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: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, golden yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Metaschoepite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Metaschoepite leaves light yellow, Schoepite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Metaschoepite leaves light yellow, Becquerelite leaves yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Metaschoepite leaves light yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Metaschoepite and vitreous, pearly on {001} on Autunite.
Often found alongside metaschoepite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metaschoepite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- UO₃·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 4.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, platy aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- {001} (by analogy to schoepite and paraschoepite, with which this is an intermediate dehydration product)
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An irreversible alteration product of schoepite from the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find metaschoepite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An irreversible alteration product of schoepite from the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits. If you start seeing schoepite, paraschoepite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify metaschoepite?+
Where is metaschoepite found?+
Is metaschoepite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like metaschoepite?+
What minerals are found with metaschoepite?+
What kind of rock does metaschoepite form in?+
What is metaschoepite used for?+
Find metaschoepite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
