Rauvite is a rare secondary uranium-vanadium mineral typically found as earthy or botryoidal coatings on sandstone. Its distinct purple to violet coloration makes it a sought-after rarity for radioactive mineral collectors, though it is usually found in small, micro-crystalline amounts.

Hardness

none

Mohs

Luster

Dull

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Rauvite

Hardness: none
Luster: Dull
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Opaque

Is this rauvite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch rauvite with a known reference. Rauvite sits at Mohs none — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rauvite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Rauvite typically shows a dull luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: purple, reddish-purple, dark violet.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, earthy coatings.

Often confused with

Rauvite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Rauvite and pearly on Tyuyamunite.

Compare →

Often found alongside rauvite

Minerals reported to co-occur with rauvite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca(UO₂)₂(V₁₀O₂₈)·16H₂O
Mohs hardness: none
Density: none
Colors: Purple Reddish-purple Dark Violet
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Dull
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Botryoidal, Crusts, Earthy Coatings
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find rauvite

Classic worldwide localities

Utah (USA)
Colorado (USA)
Arizona (USA)

Field-hunting tip

Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where rauvite typically forms. If you start seeing corvusite, hewettite, vanoxite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, earthy coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify rauvite?+

Mohs hardness is none. It typically shows a dull luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include purple, reddish-purple, dark violet.

Where is rauvite found?+

Notable localities include Utah (USA); Colorado (USA); Arizona (USA).

How much is rauvite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is rauvite safe to handle?+

This mineral is radioactive. It contains toxic constituents. This mineral contains both uranium and vanadium. It is radioactive and potentially toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with gloves and store in a sealed lead-lined container. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like rauvite?+

Rauvite is most often confused with Carnotite, Tyuyamunite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rauvite?+

Rauvite commonly co-occurs with Corvusite, Hewettite, Vanoxite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does rauvite form in?+

Rauvite typically forms in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rauvite used for?+

Rauvite is used in collector.

Find rauvite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.