Studtite is a rare uranyl peroxide mineral that typically forms as delicate, needle-like crystals or yellow crusts on uranium-bearing rocks. It is most famous as the first peroxide mineral discovered in nature, often forming in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits where it acts as a secondary alteration product.
Is this studtite?
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 studtite with a known reference. Studtite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, white yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, encrustations.
Often confused with
Studtite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Studtite leaves light yellow, Metastudtite leaves yellowish white; luster reads vitreous on Studtite and silky on Metastudtite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Studtite leaves light yellow, Becquerelite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Studtite and adamantine to greasy on Becquerelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Studtite leaves light yellow, Schoepite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Studtite and adamantine on Schoepite.
Often found alongside studtite
Minerals reported to co-occur with studtite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [(UO₂)O₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 3.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- YellowWhite yellow
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, encrustations
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A very rare mineral in the oxidized zone of some uranium-bearing mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find studtite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire) (type locality)
- Menzenschwand, Black Forest, Germany
- Mitterberg, Salzburg, Austria
- Davignac, Corrèze, and from the Mas-d’Alary uranium deposit, three km south-southeast of Lodève, Hérault, France
- Tengchong Co., and at Tongbiguan village, Yingjiang Co., Yunnan Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A very rare mineral in the oxidized zone of some uranium-bearing mineral deposits. If you start seeing uranophane, rutherfordine, lepersonnite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify studtite?+
Where is studtite found?+
Is studtite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like studtite?+
What minerals are found with studtite?+
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What is studtite used for?+
Find studtite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
