Metauramphite is a secondary uranium mineral formed through the dehydration of autunite in arid or oxidized conditions. It is typically found as small, vibrant yellow platy crystals that exhibit strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this metauramphite?
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 metauramphite with a known reference. Metauramphite 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. Metauramphite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metauramphite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Metauramphite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metauramphite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metauramphite leaves yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Metauramphite and vitreous on Torbernite.
Often found alongside metauramphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metauramphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and radioactivity levels
Where rockhounds find metauramphite
Classic worldwide localities
- France
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- USA
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where metauramphite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, gummite, autunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify metauramphite?+
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Find metauramphite on the map
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