Richetite is an extremely rare lead-uranium oxide mineral typically found as small, dark tabular crystals. It is primarily known from the Shinkolobwe mine in the DRC and is a highly sought-after species for advanced collectors of uranium minerals.
Is this richetite?
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 richetite with a known reference. Richetite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: pseudo hexagonal, tabular.
Often confused with
Richetite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Richetite leaves black, Fourmarierite leaves orange.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Richetite leaves black, Vandenbrandeite leaves green; luster reads adamantine on Richetite and vitreous on Vandenbrandeite.
Often found alongside richetite
Minerals reported to co-occur with richetite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe³⁺,Mg)ₓPb²⁺₈.₆(UO₂)₃₆O₃₆(OH)₂₄·41H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 6.194 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Opaque to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudo hexagonal, tabular
- Cleavage
- {001}, perfect; another ⊥ to the first
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a hydrothermal uranium deposit (Shinkolobwe, D.R. Congo)
Where rockhounds find richetite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
- Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a hydrothermal uranium deposit (Shinkolobwe, D.R. Congo). If you start seeing uraninite, uranophane, becquerelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudo hexagonal, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify richetite?+
Where is richetite found?+
Is richetite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like richetite?+
What minerals are found with richetite?+
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Find richetite on the map
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