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 — that is 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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