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 — Parsonsite leaves white, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads adamantine on Parsonsite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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.
