Parsonsite is a rare secondary uranium phosphate mineral that typically forms as minute, vibrant yellow crusts or tufts. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of uranium-rich hydrothermal veins. Due to its radioactive and lead content, it is strictly a mineral for advanced collectors practicing appropriate safety protocols.
Is this parsonsite?
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 parsonsite with a known reference. Parsonsite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Parsonsite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Parsonsite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, white, pale brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic acicular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Parsonsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parsonsite leaves white, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Parsonsite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Parsonsite leaves white, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads adamantine on Parsonsite and vitreous on Torbernite.
Often found alongside parsonsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parsonsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₂(UO₂)(PO₄)₂(H₂O)n
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic Acicular Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find parsonsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
- Lodeve, France
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Katanga, DR Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits country, the host setting where parsonsite typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, autunite, torbernite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microscopic acicular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find parsonsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
