Natrouranospinite is a rare uranyl arsenate mineral characterized by its distinctive yellow-green color and platy, micaceous habit. It is found in the oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal veins and is highly prized by collectors for its strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this natrouranospinite?
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 natrouranospinite with a known reference. Natrouranospinite 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: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, lemon yellow, straw yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Natrouranospinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to pearly on Natrouranospinite and pearly to dull on Meta-autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Natrouranospinite leaves yellow, Uranospinite leaves light yellow; luster reads vitreous to pearly on Natrouranospinite and waxy, pearly on {001} on Uranospinite.
Often found alongside natrouranospinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with natrouranospinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.846 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, micaceous aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright green under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Found in pitchblend-S deposits
Where rockhounds find natrouranospinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Unspecified locality in Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Found in pitchblend-S deposits. If you start seeing uraninite, gummite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify natrouranospinite?+
Where is natrouranospinite found?+
Is natrouranospinite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like natrouranospinite?+
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Find natrouranospinite on the map
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