Torbernite is a highly prized but hazardous secondary uranium mineral known for its vibrant emerald-green, tabular crystals. Collectors should note that it is frequently found as thin, micaceous plates on matrix and will readily dehydrate into meta-torbernite if kept in dry environments.
Is this radioactive copper?
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 radioactive copper with a known reference. Radioactive Copper sits at Mohs 2-2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Radioactive Copper leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Radioactive Copper typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, grass green, leek green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous foliated masses.
Often confused with
Radioactive Copper vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside radioactive copper
Minerals reported to co-occur with radioactive copper. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Foliated Masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-bearing Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find radioactive copper
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Katanga Province, DR Congo
- Cornwall, UK
- Saxony, Germany
- New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-bearing hydrothermal ore deposits country — that is the host setting where radioactive copper typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, autunite, meta-torbernite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous foliated masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Pennsylvania — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find radioactive copper on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
