Paraschoepite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms through the alteration of uraninite. Collectors value it for its vibrant yellow color and tendency to form sharp, well-defined tabular crystals, though it is often found as a pseudomorph after schoepite.
Is this paraschoepite?
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 paraschoepite with a known reference. Paraschoepite 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. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Paraschoepite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Paraschoepite and adamantine on Schoepite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Paraschoepite and adamantine to greasy on Becquerelite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Paraschoepite and adamantine on Billietite.
Often found alongside paraschoepite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paraschoepite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- UO₃·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.47-4.73 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}; good on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An alteration product of schoepite from the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find paraschoepite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Cherkasar uranium deposit, Chatkal Mountains, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An alteration product of schoepite from the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits. If you start seeing schoepite, becquerelite, uraninite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paraschoepite?+
Where is paraschoepite found?+
Is paraschoepite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like paraschoepite?+
What minerals are found with paraschoepite?+
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Find paraschoepite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
