Petscheckite is a rare uranium-bearing mineral often found in highly evolved granitic pegmatites. It is typically identified by its dark, submetallic appearance and its distinct radioactive signature, which often causes surrounding minerals to exhibit radiation damage halos.
Is this petscheckite?
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 petscheckite with a known reference. Petscheckite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Petscheckite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Petscheckite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Petscheckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside petscheckite
Minerals reported to co-occur with petscheckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- UFe(Nb,Ta)₂O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 6.57 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find petscheckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
- Iveland, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where petscheckite typically forms. If you start seeing monazite, quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find petscheckite on the map
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