Phurcalite is a rare secondary uranium phosphate mineral that typically forms as striking, bright yellow, radiating clusters of needle-like or platy crystals. It is highly prized by collectors for its intense green-yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light and is most commonly found in the weathered zones of uranium-rich hydrothermal veins.
Is this phurcalite?
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 phurcalite with a known reference. Phurcalite 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. Phurcalite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Phurcalite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, bright yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or radiating clusters of platy crystals.
Often confused with
Phurcalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Phurcalite leaves yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Phurcalite leaves yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Phurcalite and vitreous on Torbernite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Phurcalite and earthy on Phosphuranylite.
Often found alongside phurcalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with phurcalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂[(UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂](OH)₄·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 4.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Radiating Clusters of Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV Light
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find phurcalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wölsendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Königstein, Saxony, Germany
- Giveti, France
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium deposits country — that is the host setting where phurcalite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, autunite, torbernite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or radiating clusters of platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find phurcalite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
