Metavandendriesscheite is a rare secondary uranium mineral formed through the alteration of uraninite. Collectors should look for thin, platy yellow crystals often found as crusts or tiny radial sprays in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits.
Is this metavandendriesscheite?
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 metavandendriesscheite with a known reference. Metavandendriesscheite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Metavandendriesscheite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metavandendriesscheite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Metavandendriesscheite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Metavandendriesscheite and pearly on Vandendriesscheite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads resinous on Metavandendriesscheite and adamantine on Becquerelite.
How to tell apart: Curite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs — Metavandendriesscheite leaves yellow, Curite leaves orange; luster reads resinous on Metavandendriesscheite and adamantine on Curite.
Often found alongside metavandendriesscheite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metavandendriesscheite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbU₇O₂₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.60 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find metavandendriesscheite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Musonoi Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where metavandendriesscheite typically forms. If you start seeing becquerelite, curite, fourmarierite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metavandendriesscheite on the map
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