Rabbittite is a rare, water-soluble uranyl carbonate mineral that typically forms delicate, needle-like crusts or sprays. It is known primarily from arid uranium-rich mine environments in Utah, where it precipitates as a secondary efflorescence on rock walls.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Rabbittite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this rabbittite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch rabbittite with a known reference. Rabbittite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rabbittite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Rabbittite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pale yellow, greenish yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, acicular sprays.

Often confused with

Rabbittite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Liebigite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Rabbittite leaves white, Liebigite leaves pale yellow; luster reads pearly on Rabbittite and vitreous on Liebigite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Rabbittite and vitreous on Bayleyite.

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Often found alongside rabbittite

Minerals reported to co-occur with rabbittite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Mg₃(UO₂)₂(CO₃)₆(OH)₄·18H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.8 g/cm³
Colors: Pale Yellow Greenish Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Crusts, Acicular Sprays
Cleavage: Perfect
Fluorescence: Bright Yellow-green Under UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Uranium-bearing Sandstone
Typical price: $50-300 for micro-mounts or small specimens

Where rockhounds find rabbittite

Classic worldwide localities

Lucky Strike No. 2 mine, Utah, USA
Delta mine, Utah, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized uranium-bearing sandstone country — that is the host setting where rabbittite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, bayleyite, schroeckingerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, acicular sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify rabbittite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pale yellow, greenish yellow.

Where is rabbittite found?+

Notable localities include Lucky Strike No. 2 mine, Utah, USA; Delta mine, Utah, USA.

How much is rabbittite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 for micro-mounts or small specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is rabbittite safe to handle?+

This mineral is radioactive. It contains toxic constituents. This mineral is radioactive and contains uranium; handle with gloves, store in a sealed lead-lined container, and avoid dust inhalation. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like rabbittite?+

Rabbittite is most often confused with Liebigite, Bayleyite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rabbittite?+

Rabbittite commonly co-occurs with Gypsum, Bayleyite, Schroeckingerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does rabbittite form in?+

Rabbittite typically forms in oxidized uranium-bearing sandstone. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rabbittite used for?+

Rabbittite is used in collector.

Find rabbittite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.