Metazellerite is a rare uranyl carbonate mineral typically found as a dehydration product of zellerite. It is prized by collectors for its vibrant yellow-green fluorescence under ultraviolet light and often occurs as delicate, radiating needles or fibrous crusts on sandstone matrix.
Is this metazellerite?
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 metazellerite with a known reference. Metazellerite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Metazellerite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Metazellerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Metazellerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metazellerite leaves yellow, Zellerite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Metazellerite and earthy on Zellerite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Metazellerite leaves yellow, Liebigite leaves pale yellow.
Often found alongside metazellerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with metazellerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(UO₂)(CO₃)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Acicular, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find metazellerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lucky Mc Mine, Wyoming, USA
- Gas Hills, Wyoming, USA
- Klodawa, Poland
- Joachimov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where metazellerite typically forms. If you start seeing zellerite, gypsum, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, acicular, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find metazellerite on the map
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