Rameauite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms distinct, often radial, yellow-orange prismatic crystals. It is primarily found in the oxidized zones of uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits and is highly sought after by collectors of radioactive minerals due to its scarcity and aesthetic crystal form.
Is this rameauite?
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 rameauite with a known reference. Rameauite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rameauite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rameauite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Rameauite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Rameauite and adamantine on Becquerelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Rameauite leaves yellow, Fourmarierite leaves orange-yellow; luster reads vitreous on Rameauite and adamantine on Fourmarierite.
Often found alongside rameauite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rameauite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂CaU₆O₂₀·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 5.34 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find rameauite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe mine, DR Congo
- Margnac mine, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium deposits country — that is the host setting where rameauite typically forms. If you start seeing becquerelite, masuyite, curite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rameauite on the map
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