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, 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.
