Štěpite is an extremely rare uranium-bearing phosphate mineral typically found as small, yellow to greenish-brown crystals in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits. First identified at the Jáchymov mine, it is a highly specialized collector's mineral that requires careful storage due to its radioactive nature.
Is this štěpite?
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 štěpite with a known reference. Štěpite 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. Štěpite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Štěpite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Štěpite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Štěpite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Štěpite leaves white, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Štěpite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Štěpite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs — Štěpite leaves white, Torbernite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside štěpite
Minerals reported to co-occur with štěpite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- U(PO₃OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.26 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None Reported
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Uranium Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find štěpite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal uranium veins country — that is the host setting where štěpite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, meta-autunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find štěpite on the map
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