Murataite-(Y) is a rare complex oxide mineral typically found in alkaline igneous pegmatites. It usually forms small, yellowish to dark brown dodecahedral crystals that are highly sought after by collectors of radioactive or rare earth species.
Is this murataite-(y)?
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 murataite-(y) with a known reference. Murataite-(Y) sits at Mohs 5-6.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellowish-white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: submetallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals.
Often confused with
Murataite-(Y) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Murataite-(Y) leaves yellowish-white, Pyrochlore leaves brown; luster reads submetallic on Murataite-(Y) and vitreous to resinous on Pyrochlore.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Murataite-(Y) leaves yellowish-white, Zirconolite leaves brownish yellow to dark brown.
Often found alongside murataite-(y)
Minerals reported to co-occur with murataite-(y). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Y,Na)₆(Zn,Fe)₃(Ti,Nb)₆O₁₈(F,OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6.5
- Density
- 4.50-4.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque to translucent on thin edges
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare accessory mineral in samples from the dump of a prospect in a pegmatite subjected to alkali metasomatism (St. Peters Dome, Colorado, USA); in pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Burpala massif, Russia)
Where rockhounds find murataite-(y)
Classic worldwide localities
- St. Peters Dome area, near Pikes Peak, El Paso Co., Colorado, USA
- Burpala massif, 120 km north of Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare accessory mineral in samples from the dump of a prospect in a pegmatite subjected to alkali metasomatism (St. Peters Dome, Colorado, USA); in pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Burpala massif, Russia). If you start seeing quartz, astrophyllite, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify murataite-(y)?+
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Is murataite-(y) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like murataite-(y)?+
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Find murataite-(y) on the map
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