Rauchite is a rare nickel-bearing uranyl arsenate mineral characterized by its bright yellow to yellow-green, thin platy crystals. It is primarily found in old hydrothermal mining districts where primary uranium minerals have undergone oxidation. Due to its radioactivity and toxic elemental content, it is strictly a specimen for advanced collectors who follow appropriate safety protocols.
Is this rauchite?
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 rauchite with a known reference. Rauchite 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. Rauchite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rauchite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy or micaceous crystals.
Often confused with
Rauchite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rauchite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rauchite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ni(UO₂)₂(AsO₄)₂·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy or Micaceous Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright Green Under UV Light
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find rauchite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where rauchite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, arsenopyrite, nickelskutterudite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy or micaceous crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rauchite on the map
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