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, so 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, 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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