Sharpite is a rare secondary uranium mineral typically found as small, yellow, platy crystals or crusts in oxidized uranium deposits. It is best identified by its bright fluorescence under ultraviolet light and its association with other secondary uranium minerals in arid or hydrothermal environments.
Is this sharpite?
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 sharpite with a known reference. Sharpite 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. Sharpite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sharpite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Sharpite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sharpite leaves yellow, Liebigite leaves pale yellow; luster reads pearly on Sharpite and vitreous on Liebigite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Sharpite leaves yellow, Andersonite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Sharpite and vitreous on Andersonite.
Often found alongside sharpite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sharpite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(UO₂)₆(CO₃)₃(OH)₆·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Fluorescence
- Strong Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find sharpite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Moab, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium deposits country — that is the host setting where sharpite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, kasolite, becquerelite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sharpite on the map
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