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. Paraschoepite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Paraschoepite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, amber-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.
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
- 4.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and association
Where rockhounds find paraschoepite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Wölsendorf, Germany
- Grand Junction, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where paraschoepite typically forms. If you start seeing schoepite, becquerelite, uraninite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paraschoepite?+
Where is paraschoepite found?+
How much is paraschoepite worth?+
Is paraschoepite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like paraschoepite?+
What minerals are found with paraschoepite?+
What kind of rock does paraschoepite form in?+
What is paraschoepite used for?+
Find paraschoepite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
